But he said nothing about giving Oman’s elected assembly more legislative powers after promising earlier this year to institute reforms.

Last week Sultan Qaboos, in power since a 1970 coup, issued a decree allowing the assembly, known as the Shoura Council, to approve or amend laws proposed by the Cabinet before a final draft goes back to him for approval.

In the address on Monday, he told government officials that Oman was not isolated from regional and international trends and that corruption and unemployment could not be ignored.

“We are living in a world that is witnessing rapid developments on the regional and international levels that have clear effects,” he said. “It is not possible for us to be isolated from what is happening around us.”

Inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, Omanis began protesting in February for increased political and economic rights.

The sultan said the government had created thousands of jobs in different state sectors and was working with the private sector to increase employment.

In his address, the sultan said the government ensured freedom of expression. “The government’s laws ensure that every Omani has the right to express his opinion,” he said.