Omani police have arrested 155 illegal immigrants, mostly from neighboring countries, the Oman Times reported Monday. The police said the immigrants were caught in different areas of Oman over the past weeks after tip-offs from local people.
Those arrested included 75 Pakistanis, 25 Afghans, 25 Iranians, 22 Yemenis, one Somali and seven whose nationality had not been ascertained, the police said, urging citizens to continue to report any other illegal immigrants.
The sultanate, which is an oil and gas exporter, has launched a campaign to replace foreign workers, who account for around a third of the 2.3 million population, with nationals. — (AFP, Muscat)
© Agence France Presse 2000
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
