Citizens to swear allegiance to Sheikh Tamim as Emir
Source: The Peninsula Qatar (Read full story)
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The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will receive Qatari citizens at the Emiri Diwan today and tomorrow to swear allegiance to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as the Emir of Qatar, the Qatar News Agency reported yesterday. The Emir will address the nation today at 8am. The Emiri Diwan has also declared today a national holiday. Meanwhile, the Emir met yesterday at Al Wajbah Palace members of the ruling family and decision-makers. The Emir and the Heir Apparent will receive Qatari citizens at the Emiri Diwan today from 9am to 11.30am and from 3.30pm to 6pm. They will also receive citizens from 8am to 11.30am tomorrow “to swear allegiance to H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as the Emir of Qatar,” Qatar News Agency said.
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Transcript of outgoing Qatari emir’s speech handing over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Source: Al Jazeera (Read full story)
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The time has come to turn a new leaf in the history of our nation, where a new generation steps forward to shoulder the responsibility with their dynamic potential and creative thoughts. Our young men have proven over the past years that they are a people of resolve and fortitude; capable of accommodating the spirit of their time; realising its necessities fully and profoundly; coping with its newest; and above all contributing by their original thinking and creative initiatives. Thanks to all this, I recall the words of the fourth Caliph, Ali bin Abi Taleb, May Allah be pleased with him, who said: ‘Teach your children other than that what you were taught; as they are created for a time other than yours.’
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New Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim ‘set to announce reshuffle’
Source: BCC news (Read full story)
Qatar’s new Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is set to announce a cabinet reshuffle, a day after taking over from his father Sheikh Hamad, officials say. Sheikh Tamim is due to address the nation on Wednesday after his official enthronement. Long-serving Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani is expected to step aside. Sheikh Hamad – also known as “HBJ” – has been a prominent figure in regional diplomacy. One man mentioned as a possible replacement for the role of prime minister is Abdallah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, currently minister for internal affairs.
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John Kerry heads to Saudi Arabia on Syria push
Source: Gulf Today (Read full story)
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Kerry has called for greater support to Syria’s rebels by accusing Iran of “internationalisation” of the conflict through the growing role in the war of guerrillas from Hezbollah backed by Tehran. Kerry has insisted that the United States is not looking necessarily for a victory by the rebels but instead wants to step up pressure on Assad until he agrees to peace negotiations as set out by a conference in Geneva last year. Russia, a supporter of the Assad family’s four-decade rule in Syria, joined the United States in backing the Geneva plan. While the United States has hailed the stance as cooperation by Russia, Kerry’s trip comes amid a showdown as Washington demands Moscow turn over former US security contractor Edward Snowden who is wanted for exposing vast US surveillance operations.
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UAE ranked eighth-most competitive nation in the world
Source: The National (Read full story)
The UAE has been ranked the eighth-most competitive nation in the world – and first in terms of government efficiency The ranking in the 25th World Competitiveness Yearbook is the highest the country has achieved and puts it ahead of all other nations in the Middle East and North Africa. Qatar is next, in tenth place. Issued by Switzerland’s International Institute of Management Development (IMD), the report ranks the United States as most competitive, followed by Switzerland and Hong Kong. The yearbook measures countries’ abilities to create wealth through four key factors: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
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Opposition plans ‘more organized’ boycotting
Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)
The opposition plans to adopt a different approach in its campaign to boycott the elections, compared to what it adopted during last December’s polls. This time, the campaign would be “more organized” and based on “more effective” political tactics, according to sources privy to the opposition’s thinking. Speaking to Al-Qabas on the condition of anonymity, the sources said that recent discussions among opposition groups focused on coming up with a work plan that avoids confrontations and in which every step would be in line with the law. One of the options discussed was forming a shadow parliament “to monitor the work of the executive and legislative authorities with regards to progress in fighting corruption and commitment to the constitution,” according to the source.
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