Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form:
Oman
local long form:
Saltanat Uman
local short form:
Uman
Data code:
MU
Type of government:
monarchy
Capital:
Muscat
Administrative divisions:
6 regions (mintaqah, singular - mintaqat) and 2 governorates* (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*
Independence:
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:
National Day, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:
none
Legal system:
based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970) is a hereditary monarch;
cabinet:
Cabinet was appointed by the sultan
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Consultative Council (Majlis ash Shura):
a 60-member body with advisory powers only
Judicial branch:
none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court system, administered by region
Political parties and leaders:
none
Other political or pressure groups:
NA
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB
chancery:
2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 387-1980 through 1982
FAX:
[1] (202) 745-4933
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Frances D. COOK
embassy:
address NA, Muscat
mailing address:
P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Medinat Qaboos, Muscat
telephone:
[968] 698989
FAX:
[968] 699779
Flag:
three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band
