Qatar braces for new leadership
The oil-rich Gulf state of Qatar readies for fundamental changes in government which are expected to be announced on June 25, which has been declared public holiday.
Reports say that Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has met ruling family members and decision-makers and confirmed to hand over power to his son and crown prince, Sheikh Tamim, 33, who is likely to become the new prime minister, replacing Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. Diplomats reckon that Sheikh Tamim would be prime minister until he takes over as emir, and deputy prime minister Ahmed Al Mahmoud would become the next prime minister.
The emir himself said he is ready to retire, a rarity in the history of Gulf Arab politics.
Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim has been prime minister since 2007 and has played a central role in positioning Qatar as power broker in the region. He also chairs the board of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), a position he is expected to retain. QIA has estimated assets of $100 billion to $200 billion.
Diplomats say that the reason behind the change is that the emir wants a younger generation to take over power. Both the Qatari emir and prime minister would play a supervisory role to the young leaders in he future.
However, analysts say that the change would most likely not herald big changes in energy, investment or foreign policies of the wealthy Middle Eastern country and the world’s largest LNG exporter.
[caption id="attachment_11216" align="alignleft" width="276"] Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani[/caption] The oil-rich Gulf state of Qatar readies for fundamental changes in government which are expected to be announced on June 25, which has been declared public holiday. Reports say that Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has met ruling family members and decision-makers and confirmed to hand over power to his son and crown prince, Sheikh Tamim, 33, who is likely to become the new prime minister, replacing Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. Diplomats reckon that Sheikh Tamim would be prime minister until he...
The oil-rich Gulf state of Qatar readies for fundamental changes in government which are expected to be announced on June 25, which has been declared public holiday.
Reports say that Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has met ruling family members and decision-makers and confirmed to hand over power to his son and crown prince, Sheikh Tamim, 33, who is likely to become the new prime minister, replacing Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. Diplomats reckon that Sheikh Tamim would be prime minister until he takes over as emir, and deputy prime minister Ahmed Al Mahmoud would become the next prime minister.
The emir himself said he is ready to retire, a rarity in the history of Gulf Arab politics.
Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim has been prime minister since 2007 and has played a central role in positioning Qatar as power broker in the region. He also chairs the board of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), a position he is expected to retain. QIA has estimated assets of $100 billion to $200 billion.
Diplomats say that the reason behind the change is that the emir wants a younger generation to take over power. Both the Qatari emir and prime minister would play a supervisory role to the young leaders in he future.
However, analysts say that the change would most likely not herald big changes in energy, investment or foreign policies of the wealthy Middle Eastern country and the world’s largest LNG exporter.
