OMAN - Sayyid Thuwaini Bin Shihab Al Said.

The most senior member of the ruling family, Sayyid Thuwaini is a "Special Representative" of the Sultan and is listed next to Qaboos in official line-ups. When the Sultan is absent, he chairs meetings of the cabinet or the specialised councils. A former Wali (governor) of Muscat, he is a key member of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council.

Sayyid Thuwaini has been an emissary of Qaboos on delicate missions inside the sultanate and abroad, and has led Oman's delegation to international summits. He is the son of the late Sayyid Shihab, a brother of the late Sultan Taimour and uncle of Sultan Qaboos' father. Thus the sultan calls Sayyid Thuwaini uncle. Born in 1924, he attended schools in Baghdad and Bahrain. He then became a headmaster at the Saiddiyah school in Muscat. In 1948-1955, he worked at the office of Sultan Said and spent six months with Omani forces in Ibri, Fahud and Nizwa. Later he worked for Sultan Said in Salalah. In 1956, he went to work for his father, Sayyid Shihab, the then Wali of Muscat whom he succeeded in 1970. In October 1970 he was made personal adviser to Sultan Qaboos, who three months earlier had deposed his father. Sayyid Thuwaini, with his sons and his cousin Sayyid Faisal bin Ali, form a base of support for the Sultan. Sayyid Faisal is an uncle of Qaboos as well, being a son of the brother of late Sultan Taimour.

Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud al-Bussaidi, a special adviser to the Sultan, has a most influential position. One of his main roles is an intermediary between the Sultan and the citizens. He listens to their complaints and sees their petitions.

As such, Sayyid Hamad is "the Sultan's eyes and ears". He keeps the ruler in touch with the mood of the people. His brother Ali bin Hamoud has served as minister of interior.