S&P Global Ratings said on Friday it cut its outlook on Oman to negative from stable while affirming its 'BB/B' long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on the country.

"The negative outlook reflects the risk that in the absence of substantial fiscal measures to curtail the government deficit, or a more favorable external environment, fiscal and external buffers will continue to erode", the ratings agency said.

(Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; editing by Diane Craft) ((ramavenkat.raman@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780, outside U.S. +91 80 6749 7151; Reuters Messaging: ramavenkat.raman.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))