Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, the President of the Majlis As'Shura (advisory council), has reassured the people that the council would continue to be a strong link between the government and citizens.

Speaking at the fourth session of the council's fifth term, Sheikh Al Qatabi said: "The Majlis is determined to promote its role in serving the Omani society within the context of joint co-operation and co-ordination with the government."

He added that the Majlis was keen to ensure that the interests of the homeland and its citizens were looked after.

The Majlis chief expressed gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the government for extending some essential services to a number of wilayats and allocating required finances for the new programmes in the current five-year development plan.

Eighty three members in the fifth term of the Majlis were elected in the country's first ever public elections held last year. Thirteen women, among 506 candidates, contested elections and two got elected from the capital area.

Regarding privatisation of power sector in the country, Undersecretary for Electricity and Water Abdullah bin Ali Dawood informed the Majlis members about a draft law on privatising the power sector. He said: "The draft law was being formulated and would be referred to the Council of Ministers."