Queen Beatrix's Oman visit postponed

A planned visit to Oman by The Netherlands' Queen Beatrix has been postponed.

Concerns were raised earlier this week as to whether the monarch and a host of businessmen would be able to make the trip, after protests rose up in the state, leaving two people dead, last weekend.

The visit has now been cancelled in a decision taken by both countries.

The Dutch Government Information Service said in a statement: "Current developments demand all of Oman's attention and it is therefore better that the visit be made later."

Dutch officials had hoped for a mutual postponement of the three day trip, as they didn't want to cancel it in a manner which could be interpreted as a snub to Sultan Qaboos Bin Said al Said.

Beatrix was also set to be accompanied on the three-day visit by heir to the throne, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, and his wife, Princess Maxima.

Demonstrators have staged protests in the Omani cities of Sohar and Salalah, with smaller scale demonstrations in the capital, Muscat. The protesters are demanding an end to corruption, higher wages, cheaper basic facilities - including water and electricity - and more jobs.