Activists in the city said it was the fourth Friday protest in succession since scattered unrest began in the sultanate more than two months ago. Peaceful protesters, watched by a few dozen policemen, shouted, “the people want an end to corruption,” and “the people want reform.”

Residents said between 300 and 400 hundred protesters took part in the protest, although some activists put the number at several thousand.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said promised a $2.6 billion spending package last month after nearly two months of demonstrations inspired by popular uprisings across the Arab world.

The Omani demonstrators have focused on demands for better wages, jobs and an end to corruption. Many are angry at the state’s perceived unwillingness to prosecute ministers sacked for corruption in response to demonstrations in February.

“Day by day, the people increase their demands for reform. At first their demands were just about economic needs but now they are no longer asleep and they are asking for their freedoms ... we want free elections,” an activist, who identified himself as Salem, told Reuters by telephone.

Another protester, Said Al-Shanfari, said much of the Friday sermon before the protest was devoted to criticizing corruption.

“The Friday sermon was quite intense, with the imam (preacher) calling for corruption to end and former ministers to be investigated and prosecuted for abuse while they were in power,” he told Reuters.

A sit-in protest outside the governor’s office has continued for nearly three months, with demonstrators urging Sultan Qaboos to stamp out corruption. Another sit-in continued in the capital Muscat, although numbers have dwindled to only a few dozen.

Sultan Qaboos sacked 12 ministers in March, including the finance minister, without giving a reason and protesters have called for them to be tried for graft.

He promised to cede some legislative powers to the partially-elected Oman Council, an advisory body. Currently only the sultan and his Cabinet can legislate, and a transfer of powers has yet to be announced. Some said they were losing patience.

“The people need freedom, we want a democracy,” activist Salem said.