OMAN EXECUTES FOUR MEN

MUSCAT, Oman -- Three Pakistanis and an Omani convicted of drug trafficking
and murder have been executed by firing squad, police said Thursday.

The four men were executed Wednesday at the main prison in al-Manowama, a
suburb in the capital, Muscat, police said.

Pakistanis Hatem Ali Nour, Abdul Rahman Murad Mohammed and Murad Bakhsh
Nizrat were convicted of smuggling a large quantity of unspecified
narcotics into the country. Nour and Mohammed were also found in possession
of two assault rifles.

Saeed bin Ali bin Saif, an Omani, was convicted of murder and his execution
was witnessed by members of the victim's family.

Police did not release any other details.