https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 11:32:10 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-will-saudi-arabia-make-friday-a-working-day/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 15:45:33 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658192 In a thought-provoking op-ed published on Friday by Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Okaz, entitled "Friday is a working day," writer Mona Al-Otaibi questions whether the Kingdom's traditional Friday-Saturday weekend needs an overhaul, igniting a debate on social media. The piece highlighted the potential financial losses incurred due to Friday being an important workday in the financial world, and it has sparked discussions about whether Saudi Arabia should consider shifting its weekend to Saturday-Sunday, following in the footsteps of neighbouring UAE which made the controversial change last year, after plans were announced in 2021. At the time, the Emirati the government said it would "ensure smooth financial, trade and economic transactions with countries that follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend, facilitating stronger international […]]]> 658192 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-moroccan-sentenced-to-five-5-after-facebook-posts-criticising-normalised-ties-with-israel/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:08:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657863 A Moroccan court has sentenced a blogger to five years in prison over posts on Facebook criticising the normalisation of relations with Israel that were deemed "offensive" to the monarchy, according to his lawyer. Lawyer Hassan Al-Sunni told AFP that his client, Saeed Boukayoud, 48, "was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for Facebook posts denouncing normalisation with Israel in a way that could be interpreted as criticism of the King." The facts of the case go back to December 2020, when Boukayoud, who resides in Qatar, published posts rejecting the agreement, which at that time required Morocco to resume its relations with the occupation state of Israel in return for the US recognising its sovereignty over the Western Sahara, according […]]]> 657863 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-pa-prime-minister-denies-criticising-qatar-for-funding-gaza-electricity-plant/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:56:08 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657814 Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh denied on Wednesday that he had criticised Qatar for funding the Gaza Strip's electricity plant, Al-Watan Voice has reported. Earlier this week, the authorities in Gaza said that Qatar had agreed to fund the operation of the Gaza Power Plant's fourth generator to help ease the electricity supply crisis in the besieged enclave. Following this report, activists on social media circulated reports that Shtayyeh sent a protest note to Qatar for funding the electricity plant without cooperation with the PA. This was denied in a brief statement issued by Shtayyeh's office. However, activists insist that the reports about the protest note are true. The source, they point out, is an informed employee at the […]]]> 657814 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-qatar-slackline-champion-sets-new-record-185m-above-ground/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 15:17:52 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656738 READ: Qatar and Oman support Palestine with written statements to ICJ]]> 656738 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-qatar-to-provide-ukraine-with-100m-in-humanitarian-aid-kyiv/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:53:36 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656104 Qatar will provide Ukraine with $100 million in humanitarian aid to support health, education and demining, Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, said on Friday after talks with the Gulf State's Prime Minister, Reuters reports. Qatar had earlier, on Friday, announced that Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who also serves as Foreign Minister, was visiting Ukraine. "This money will be channelled for reconstruction in the health and education sectors, humanitarian de-mining, and other important social and humanitarian projects," Shmyhal told a joint briefing. Shmyhal said they had discussed Ukraine's peace formula – a 10-point peace plan that calls for nuclear, energy and food security, restoration of borders and other points. He thanked Qatar for its readiness to mediate in […]]]> 656104 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-france-seizes-opportunity-for-defence-collaboration-after-qatar-talks-reports/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:31:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655673 France and Qatar share a mutual desire to enhance their defence partnership, a French Defence Ministry source reports. According to the report, the defence partnership between the two nations will strengthen the ongoing cooperation involving Rafale fighter jets. Last week, French Minister of Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, engaged in discussions with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Qatar. In 2015, the two nations initially finalised a $7 billion (6.34 billion Euros) deal for 24 Rafale jets, and in 2017, Qatar placed an additional order for 12 more aircraft. READ: Afghan Taliban confirms meeting with US officials in Doha late this week]]> 655673 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-uk-foreign-secretary-discusses-palestine-iran-syria-with-qatar/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 09:11:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655585 British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly discussed issues related to Palestine, Iran and Syria on Wednesday with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, who is also his country's Prime Minister, news agencies have reported. Cooperation between the two countries was on the agenda, especially the preparations for the upcoming strategic dialogue. The senior officials also discussed the latest developments in the region, especially in Palestine and Syria; the Iranian nuclear agreement; and the situation in Afghanistan. The importance of international support for the people of Afghanistan was stressed. Both ministers expressed their deep concern about the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank and the absence of prospects for peace, especially in light of the internal crisis in […]]]> 655585 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-qatar-and-oman-support-palestine-with-written-statements-to-icj/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 09:00:59 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655581 Qatar and Oman announced on Wednesday that they have submitted written statements to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in support of the Palestinian position, Wafa news agency has reported. According to Qatar, the ICJ must conclude that Israel's obligations under international law require it to cease its unlawful occupation immediately. It also said that Israel has to provide full compensation for the damage and suffering caused by its occupation. Oman noted that it submitted its written statement in support of the diplomatic and legal steps taken by the State of Palestine, which is seeking an advisory opinion from the ICJ regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. READ: Palestine hands over written submissions against Israeli occupation […]]]> 655581 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-foreign-meddling-and-competing-interests-hinder-any-solution-in-libya/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:00:06 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655172 If you ask any Libyan citizen about the biggest obstacles hindering political solutions in the country, the most likely answer is: external interferences and the disputes of local de-facto politicians. Since the country fell victim to the so called "Arab Spring" in 2011, it became an open arena for all sorts of external meddling in its internal affairs – usually individual foreign countries' pursuit of their own interests, regardless of what the impact could be on Libya's stability, security and economic prosperity. Worse still, most of such interests are competing with each other at the expense of the country. The internal conflict, since erupting in 2011, has turned into a regional and international conflict in which various countries are competing […]]]> 655172 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-us-officials-to-meet-taliban-in-doha-to-discuss-economy-rights-issues/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:00:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655270 US officials will meet Taliban representatives and "technocratic professionals" from key Afghan ministries during a visit to Doha this week, the State Department said on Wednesday, adding they will discuss economic issues, security and women's rights, Reuters reports. Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, and Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, Rina Amiri, will travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, and Doha, Qatar, from 26 July to 31 July, the State Department said in a statement. In Astana, they will meet with officials from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss Afghanistan, said the statement, which added the US officials will also meet civil society members focused on women's rights. The US officials will meet the […]]]> 655270 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-arab-leaders-use-palestine-to-boost-their-popularity/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:58:26 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655191 Early this week, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said that his country's independence would never be complete as long as Palestine is occupied. Echoing the words of the late South African freedom fighter and President Nelson Mandela, he also pointed out that this has been the position of his predecessors as well. "Palestine's strength can only be achieved through its unity," he told CNN China. "The Palestinians know this very well." He added that some Arab states, and China, are striving to get Palestine accepted as a full UN member state "even if it is still occupied." In fact, most free people around the world appear to support the Palestinians and wish to see the Israeli occupation ended as soon as […]]]> 655191 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-qatar-beats-rivals-to-run-pakistan-airports/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 18:59:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655097 Qatar has manged to fend off competition from Saudi Arabia, UAE and China to secure a deal with Pakistan over the running of Islamabad Airport. The sale, via tender of a contract, to manage Islamabad Airport is nearing completion after consultations with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Ministry of Finance said Thursday. The Ministry said that Pakistan had begun outsourcing of operations at three major airports, and Islamabad was the first of these to be affected. Generating foreign exchange reserves for Pakistan's ailing economy is said to be the reason for the sale. In its statement, the Ministry said it had been unanimously agreed for the outsourcing of operations at Islamabad Airport to go ahead in order to improve […]]]> 655097 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-qatar-appoints-its-first-ambassador-to-uae-since-2017/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:03:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654841 Qatar on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in more than six years after the UAE, along with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, severed ties with Doha in 2017. The Emir of Qatar appointed Dr Sultan Salmeen Saeed Al Mansouri as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Arab Emirates. Al Mansouri will be the first Qatari ambassador to the UAE since 2017. The decision was published in the official gazette. Last month, Qatar and the UAE agreed to restore their diplomatic representation and reopen embassies. READ: Turkiye, Qatar determined to boost bilateral ties: joint declaration]]> 654841 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-turkiye-working-against-end-of-black-sea-grain-deal-and-resulting-fallout-president/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:40:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654342 Ending the Black Sea grain deal as announced this week would hit hard in numerous ways, warned Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that Turkiye is already working to prevent this, Anadolu Agency reports. "The termination of the Black Sea grain initiative will have a range of (harmful) effects, ranging from raising global food prices, in some regions to famine and then new waves of migration. We do not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this," Erdogan told reporters on Thursday on the presidential plane returning from a three-nation Gulf tour. "I believe that by discussing the issue in detail with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement," he added, hinting at Turkiye's […]]]> 654342 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-qatarenergys-2022-profit-surges-58-to-42-5bn/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 17:58:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654208 State-owned QatarEnergy's net profit jumped 58 per cent to QAR154.6 billion ($42.47 billion) in 2022, compared to QAR97.9 billion in 2021, Reuters reports. According to the report, revenue rose to QAR189 billion in 2022, from QAR120.3 billion in 2021. Net operating income from the profit share of associates jumped to QAR1 billion from QAR645.8 million in 2021, the report added. The report says income from its share of profit from joint ventures reached QAR82.6 billion last year, from QAR52.4 billion in 2021. READ: Turkiye, Qatar determined to boost bilateral ties: joint declaration]]> 654208 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-president-erdogans-gulf-tour-grabs-media-attention/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:46:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654169 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's three-nation Gulf tour has grabbed headlines, Anadolu Agency reports. The tour started with Saudi Arabia, followed by a visit to Qatar and then the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During the tour, agreements were signed between Turkiye and the three Gulf nations. This significant momentum of the Gulf tour has resonated strongly in the media of those countries, manifested in praises and highlighting the importance of bilateral cooperation with Turkiye. UAE The most recent of these interactions was from Abu Dhabi. The Emirati official News Agency, WAM, said on Thursday: "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the country topped and captured the interests of local newspapers today, unanimously stressing the importance of Emirati-Turkish relations." READ: […]]]> 654169 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-saudi-crown-prince-mbs-threatened-to-impose-blockade-on-uae-worse-than-that-on-qatar/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 19:59:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653852 Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, privately threatened to journalists that he would impose sanctions on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has revealed. According to the paper, bin Salman told journalists in an off-the-record briefing in December that he had sent the UAE a list of demands and warned the neighbouring country that he would impose measures on it if it continued to rival major Saudi policy positions within the region and in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+). "It will be worse than what I did with Qatar," the Crown Prince is reported to have said, referring to the 2017 embargo on Qatar that Riyadh led, along with other Gulf states […]]]> 653852 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-turkiye-qatar-determined-to-boost-bilateral-ties-joint-declaration/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 19:23:44 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653378 Turkiye and Qatar are determined to enhance bilateral relations in various fields, according to a joint declaration issued on Tuesday during a Turkish presidential visit, Anadolu Agency reports. "On the basis of our strategic relations and bilateral cooperation in the political, diplomatic, economic and commercial fields, and in line with the directives of the wise leaders of the two countries," said the declaration, "we are determined to continue our joint efforts to coordinate in various fields to ensure the continuity of the strengthening of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two brotherly countries and peoples." The Turkish and Qatari foreign ministers signed the declaration during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Qatar, marking a half-century since the establishment […]]]> 653378 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-japan-pm-kishida-to-visit-qatar-for-lng-talks/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:52:34 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653327 Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, is due to arrive in major gas-producer, Qatar, on Tuesday for the final leg of a Gulf tour that has focused on securing future energy supplies and promoting Japanese high-tech, Reuters reports. Kishida, who has been urged by Japan's gas lobby to secure new liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar, is expected to hold talks with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as well as Qatar's Minister of State for Energy and QatarEnegy's Chief Executive, Saad Al Kaabi. Japan, which remains highly dependent on oil and gas imports, did not renew several long-term LNG contracts with Qatar when they lapsed in 2021 and 2022, significantly reducing gas imports from one of the world's top LNG […]]]> 653327 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-five-nation-group-on-lebanon-says-to-penalise-those-obstructing-presidential-election/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:52:44 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653215 The five-nation group on Lebanon, which comprises the US, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, said on Monday they had discussed several measures against politicians and groups who were obstructing the election of a new president, Reuters reports. Last month, Parliament failed – for the 12th time – to fill the post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in Lebanon's sectarian system, and vacant since the term of the Hezbollah-allied Michel Aoun ended in October. The meeting in Doha, attended by Lebanon's key Western and Arab donors and allies said it was imperative a president was elected and urged Lebanon's leaders to overcome a deepening institutional paralysis in a country where one of the world's worst economic crises has been festering for years. […]]]> 653215 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-turkiye-presidents-upcoming-visit-to-qatar-to-boost-cooperation-ties/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 18:18:28 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653204 An upcoming visit to Qatar by Turkiye's President will help boost bilateral ties and cooperation, according to the Gulf nation's ambassador in Ankara, Anadolu Agency reports. "This visit is an important indicator of the solid relations that bind Turkiye and Qatar," Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani told Anadolu ahead of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Qatar on Tuesday as part of a three-day Gulf tour. "Most likely, the visit will encompass several areas of coordination and joint cooperation," he added. Erdogan is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. Bin Nasser said the agenda of Erdogan's visit to Doha would include international and regional issues, as well as means […]]]> 653204 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-minister-qatar-launches-initiatives-to-attract-foreign-investments/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:31:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652574 Qatar's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Qassim Al Thani, said his country has launched several initiatives to attract foreign direct investment and international talents in various fields, including technology, infrastructure, health, trade and investment, in line with the country's goals aimed at creating an environment conducive to the digital ecosystem. This came during the Qatari-Hungarian Economic Committee held in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. During the meeting, the Qatari minister affirmed Doha's endeavour to continue its efforts to maintain the sustainability and stability of the national economy, and to contribute to strengthening the country's position as an attractive destination to foreign investors. Al-Thani also expressed his aspiration to take advantage of the many investment opportunities available in […]]]> 652574 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-turkiye-qatar-to-launch-joint-investment-for-chip-production/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:40:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652389 Turkiye and Qatar will launch a joint investment for semiconductor production, the Turkish Industry and Technology Minister said on Friday, Anadolu Agency reports. "Qatar decided to move its investment for producing 65-nanometer chips to Turkiye. It is projected to be worth over $60 million," Mehmet Fatih Kacir said at a news conference in the capital, Ankara. He added that Turkiye aims to attract more global investors for large-scale investments in the semiconductor industry. Turkiye is working on accelerating investments in new generation, hybrid and electric vehicles, to boost its export capacity and meet domestic demand, Kacir said. He said that 1 million units of Turkiye's first indigenous electric car brand, Togg, will be produced by 2032. Togg began selling its […]]]> 652389 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230712-has-israel-greenlighted-the-killing-of-senior-hamas-leaders/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 06:30:39 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651441 Early this week, Israeli media reported that an anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon at an Israeli military target. It also reported Israeli officials claiming that senior Hamas leader Saleh Al-Arouri had ordered the launch of the missile. Israeli TV Channel 14 has recently reported security officials claiming that the barrage of rockets launched from Lebanon towards Israel during the Passover holiday was ordered by Al Arouri, who is likely hosted by Hezbollah. The security officials said, according to Channel 14, he deserved to be assassinated. According to the same TV channel, senior Israeli security officials said that Al-Arouri and Samir Afandi, another senior Hamas official in Lebanon, "were sentenced to death but the time when they are being executed […]]]> 651441 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230706-hydrogen-money-can-be-beneficial-for-green-infrastructure-in-the-middle-east/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 18:00:26 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650192 The conversation about climate change needs to shift from simply reducing carbon emissions to ensuring developing nations can take part in a diversified green economy in the Middle East region. Yet, first it is important to accept that governments have hardly any source of revenues, independent from oil and gas. In Iraq, for instance, that dependence exceeds 90 per cent. If government revenues in the region are dominated by hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon revenues will have to finance the new, clean energy infrastructure. Since the start of the Ukraine war, two main issues changed the pattern of diplomacy in the Middle East: grain and hydrocarbons. Many countries in the region were forced to radically rethink their grain import strategies in the following […]]]> 650192 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230630-fc-barcelona-receives-109m-sponsorship-proposal-from-qatar/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:13:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=648347 Barcelona is reported to have received an offer worth €100m ($109m) from a team in Qatar with a view to using La Blaugrana's name as part of their franchise, 90 min football webpage reports. According to the report, club president, Joan Laporta, was recently spotted in Qatar and, according to Tot Costa, his visit could have concerned a potential franchise partnership. The report states that an unnamed Qatari side has offered Barcelona a cool $109m in exchange for the rights to use the Blaugrana's name as part of their own. The report added that whether this offer will be accepted is unclear, but the potential benefits for Barcelona, who are still working to lower their wages to fall under La Liga's salary […]]]> 648347 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230627-qatar-releases-7-iranians-from-prison/ Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:56:28 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647895 Iran's ambassador to Doha has announced that Qatar has released seven Iranian prisoners who will be returning to their home country, Anadolu Agency reports. Hamid Dehkan, on Tuesday, posted a statement on his Twitter account saying, "With the cooperation of the Qatari authorities, loving Iranian prisoners were released today and left for Tehran a few minutes ago." Dehkan did not provide information on what crimes the people in question were convicted of or how long they had been detained in Qatar. On 11 April, Qatar also released 17 detained Iranian citizens for violating territorial waters. READ: President of Iran, Emir of Qatar exchange well wishes for Eid holiday]]> 647895 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230627-president-of-iran-emir-of-qatar-exchange-well-wishes-for-eid-holiday/ Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:04:18 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647891 Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, and Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, exchanged Eid Al-Adha greetings on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports. "Iran and Qatar have good potential for the development of bilateral, regional and international cooperation," Raisi told Al-Thani in a telephone call, according to the Iranian presidency. "Iran considers the development of bilateral relations as something that can further enhance regional and international cooperation between the two countries," said Raisi. The Qatari Emir expressed "readiness for increasing economic cooperation and investment in Iran". Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is the second most important Muslim holiday. It marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. READ: Iran: foreign minister in Qatar for 'important' talks]]> 647891 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230626-putin-discusses-wagner-rebellion-with-qatar-emir-iran-president-over-phone/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:08:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647334 Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on Monday, discussed the aborted armed rebellion of the Wagner paramilitary group in separate phone talks with the Qatari Emir and Iranian President, Anadolu Agency reports. In a statement on its website, the Kremlin said Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, supported the Russian leadership against the rebellion during the phone talk with Putin, and the two leaders confirmed mutual interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation. "The Qatari leader expressed support for the actions of the Russian leadership in connection with the events of 24 June," it said. Putin also spoke about the 24 June uprising with Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, who vowed Tehran's solidarity with Russia as well. The Kremlin said Putin congratulated Thani on […]]]> 647334 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230626-rise-in-foreign-labourers-returning-from-gulf-with-chronic-kidney-disease/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:13:13 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647287 Growing numbers of foreign labourers are returning from Gulf countries with chronic kidney disease (CKD), medical experts have warned. Years of working under scorching heat in construction sites without necessary safety precautions is exposing millions of workers in the region to unnecessary risk of falling ill and suffering from irreversible medical conditions like CKD. Details of the health risk posed to foreign labourers in the Gulf was highlighted today in a Guardian report which revealed that there has been a sharp rise in the number of Nepalese migrant workers returning home with chronic kidney disease. The report cited medical experts and interviewed a Labourer who returned to Nepal with CKD after working for four years as a scaffolder in Qatar, Saudi Arabia […]]]> 647287 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230625-qatar-to-buy-stake-in-us-basketball-and-ice-hockey-teams/ Sun, 25 Jun 2023 15:04:35 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647146 Qatar's sovereign wealth fund is planning to buy roughly 5 per cent stake in US basketball and ice hockey teams based in the US capital Washington DC. According to reports by AP and Bloomberg, citing an anonymous source, the Qatari Investment Authority (QIA) will be acquiring a minority stake in the NBA's Washington Wizards, the WNBA's Washington Mystics and the NHL's Washington Capitals, as part of a $4 billion deal with Monumental Sports & Entertainment. In a statement on Thursday, the National Basketball Association (NBA) confirmed the offer made by the QIA and said it is currently under review. "The NBA Board is currently reviewing a potential investment by QIA in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the […]]]> 647146 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230625-qatar-delivers-last-batch-of-mobile-homes-for-quake-victims-in-turkiye/ Sun, 25 Jun 2023 12:27:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647133 Qatar said it had shipped the last batch of mobile homes prepared for the victims of the Feb. 6 earthquake disaster in Türkiye and Syria, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) said the mobile homes had arrived in Hatay in southern Türkiye on Saturday. "Over the course of three months following the earthquake, QFFD delivered 10,000 fully furnished, insulated shelters to over 15 different cities and towns across southeast Türkiye," QFFD said. QFFD "continues to improve the livelihood of vulnerable communities worldwide by providing the necessary aid to save lives, give hope, and promote peace and justice through sustainable and inclusive development," it added. Following the earthquake disaster, Qatar has pledged 10,000 mobile homes for […]]]> 647133 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230623-islam-science-fiction-and-extraterrestrial-life-the-culture-of-astrobiology-in-the-muslim-world/ Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:39:24 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646700 Islam and science fiction may not immediately seem like a natural pairing, but the Muslim world has indeed fostered a fascinating history within this genre. In his book titled Islam, science fiction, and extraterrestrial life: The culture of astrobiology in the Muslim world, Jorg Matthias Determann, an author and academic based in Qatar, delves into the exploration of "scientific imagination" as expressed through various forms of media, including literature and film. The book encompasses a wide range of associated themes, such as space, time, world building, extraterrestrial life and ufology. It is quite fitting that the opening chapter 'Lord of the Worlds' is a reference to the first surah of the Quran, Al-Fatihah, which the author explains, based on a literalist interpretation, […]]]> 646700 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230622-lebanon-awaits-foreign-push-out-of-political-impasse/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:15:08 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646651 At loggerheads over who should fill a vacant presidency, Lebanon's fractious politicians are waiting for foreign powers to resolve their crisis, leaving the country adrift as its failing state teeters on the brink of collapse. After parliament failed for the 12th time to elect a new president, many believe what happens next will depend on how a thaw in ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran plays out across the Middle East, with Lebanon historically an arena of rivalry between the leading Sunni Arab and Shia powers. The logjam comes as no surprise in a country with a sectarian political system that has lurched from crisis to crisis since independence, often prompting intervention by foreign powers with influence over rival groups. It fell to foreign […]]]> 646651 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230621-iran-has-talks-with-eus-mora-amid-efforts-to-save-nuclear-pact/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:58:40 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646454 Iran met, in Qatar, with European Union mediator, Enrique Mora, as part of efforts to revive its 2015 nuclear pact with world powers, as Tehran and Washington seek to cool tensions with a mutual "understanding" to help end the deadlock, Reuters reports. Having failed to revive the deal in indirect talks that have stalled since September, Iranian and Western officials have met repeatedly in recent weeks to sketch out steps that could curb Iran's fast advancing nuclear work, free some US and European detainees held in Iran and unfreeze some Iranian assets abroad. "(I) had a serious and constructive meeting with Mora in Doha. We exchanged views and discussed a range of issues including negotiations on sanctions lifting," Iranian Chief Nuclear Negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, said in a tweet, without elaborating. Bagheri Kani said, […]]]> 646454 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230621-majority-want-us-to-be-less-involved-in-middle-east-arab-youth-survey-finds/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 08:55:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646105 Turkiye and China are stronger allies of the Arab world than the US and Russia, say 82 per cent of participants in the 15th annual Arab Youth Survey. The US exerts the most influence in the Arab world, say 33 per cent of the people asked, but two thirds say they would like the US to be less involved in Middle Eastern affairs. The survey, run by ASDA'A BCW, the region's largest communications consultancy, is made up of face-to-face interviews with 3,600 Arab citizens between the ages of 18 and 24. There are over 200 million youth in the Arab world, its largest demographic. For the twelfth year in a row, Arab youth (24 per cent) say the UAE is the country […]]]> 646105 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230620-qatar-set-to-strike-second-big-lng-supply-deal-with-china/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 22:55:07 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646067 Qatar is set to secure a second large gas supply deal with a Chinese state-controlled company in less than a year, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. According to the report, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and QatarEnergy are expected to sign a 27-year agreement on Tuesday, under which China will purchase 4 million metric tons of LNG a year from the Gulf state, the report said, citing people briefed on the matter. QatarEnergy has said it plans to retain a 75 per cent stake in the North Field expansion, which will cost at least $30 billion, including construction of liquefaction export facilities. The report added that, as Beijing's ties with the United States and Australia, Qatar's two biggest LNG export rivals, are strained, Chinese national energy […]]]> 646067 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230620-eyewitnesses-call-israel-military-raid-on-west-bank-a-war/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 18:58:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646062 The Palestinians who witnessed the Israeli army raid on Monday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, which killed six Palestinians and injured 91 others, likened it to a "war", Anadolu Agency reports. Mohammed Abu Hatab, 39, a resident of Jenin, told Anadolu on Tuesday that they woke up early in the morning to the sound of heavy gunfire, thinking "there was a war". "It lasted for almost 10 hours. Our house was hit by bullets. Then, there was bombardment by a helicopter. The sound of the bombardment was terrible. The explosions never stopped," he recalled the moments with horror. Hatab said their personal vehicles were also damaged by the raiding soldiers. Mahmud Sadi, another resident of the region, […]]]> 646062 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230620-bangladesh-signs-new-long-term-lng-deal-with-oman/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:39:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=645949 Bangladesh has signed a new long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal with Oman to import more LNG from the Gulf state. Under the agreement, Petrobangla – which is state-owned by Bangladesh – will receive up to 1.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG from Oman's OQ Trading over ten years from 2026. Said Al-Maawali, executive director of the OQ and Ruchira Islam, board secretary of Petrobangla, signed the new deal in Dhaka yesterday. The Omani firm will supply four cargoes of LNG in 2026, 16 cargoes of LNG per year from 2027 to 2028 and 24 cargo LNG per year from 2029 to 2035. The sultanate has been providing the south Asian country with one million tonnes of LNG per […]]]> 645949 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230620-iran-foreign-minister-in-qatar-for-important-talks/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:09:39 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=645946 Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian arrived in Qatar today to discuss regional and international issues, local media have reported. According to Iran's Alalam news channel, Abdollahian arrived at dawn this morning at the head of a diplomatic delegation to meet senior Qatari officials. "Minister Amir Abdollahian's visit to Qatar is at the invitation of his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani," explained the official IRNA news agency. "One of the most important topics on the foreign minister's agenda in Qatar is holding bilateral talks and exchanging views on important regional and international issues." Last week, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Mohammad Reza Farzin, also visited Qatar with the aim of strengthening monetary, banking and economic […]]]> 645946 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230620-un-sudan-quickly-descending-into-death-and-destruction/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:56:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=645943 Sudan is quickly descending into "death and destruction", UN chief António Guterres warned yesterday. Addressing donors at a pledging event in Geneva convened by the UN with Egypt, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), Guterres said that some $3 billion was needed to assist people in Sudan and those who have fled to neighbouring countries. "The scale and speed of Sudan's descent into death and destruction is unprecedented," he warned. "Without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region." Speaking via video message as a new temporary ceasefire between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was coming into effect, the UN […]]]> 645943 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230619-qatar-and-uae-resume-diplomatic-ties/ Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:57:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=645553 Qatar and the UAE have announced today that they have resumed full diplomatic relations, with the reopening of their respective embassies. Qatar's Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai, as well as the UAE Embassy in Doha have now resumed operations. The restoration of ties comes two years after the Al-Ula summit, which brought an end to the Saudi-led blockade against Doha, which triggered the Gulf diplomatic crisis between Qatar and several neighbouring Gulf Arab states as well as Egypt. Bahrain is yet to reopen its embassy in Doha, but ties have also thawed, the two having resumed relations in April. Qatar, UAE Announce Restoration of Diplomatic Representation#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/LkokHj5sRr — Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 19, […]]]> 645553 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230618-qatar-egypt-send-humanitarian-aid-to-conflict-torn-sudan/ Sun, 18 Jun 2023 08:18:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=645336 Qatar and Egypt sent humanitarian aid to Sudan amid ongoing clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary force, according to media reports Saturday, reports Anadolu Agency. A plane loaded with food was sent to those affected by the conflict in cooperation with the Qatar Development Fund, according to the Qatari News Agency citing the Qatar Charity Agency. The aid consisted of basic food supplies and 35 tons of food aid was distributed to those in need. Also, an Egyptian supply ship loaded with hundreds of tons of aid materials arrived in Sudan, the Egyptian army said in a statement. The aid was provided by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense and Social Solidarity, Egyptian Red Crescent and […]]]> 645336 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230616-emir-of-qatar-visits-iraq-in-historic-trip/ Fri, 16 Jun 2023 12:18:24 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=645194 WATCH: Pilgrims arrive in Makkah ahead of the Hajj Digital Team]]> 645194 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230614-qatar-in-talks-with-egypt-wealth-fund-over-hotels-investment/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:49:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=644682 Qatar's sovereign wealth fund is in talks with Egypt about potentially investing in seven historic hotels there, in what could be a landmark deal between the two countries that restored diplomatic ties in 2021 after a long-running dispute, Reuters reports. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is in talks with The Sovereign Wealth Fund of Egypt (TSFE) about the deal, said two sources, with knowledge of the matter, who declined to be named. The Fund is considering acquiring a stake of up to 30 per cent in the hotels, the sources said, without naming them. The $445 billion QIA declined to comment. Egypt's TSFE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. READ: IMF refutes Sisi's claims of revolution's impact […]]]> 644682 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230614-saudi-to-host-humanitarian-conference-for-sudan/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:08:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=644661 Saudi Arabia yesterday announced that it is organising an international conference to support the humanitarian response in Sudan, Anadolu news agency reported. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the high-level conference will be held on 19 June "to pledge support for humanitarian response in Sudan and the region." The conference will be jointly led by Qatar, Egypt, Germany and the United Nations, in addition to the European Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the statement said. "Saudi Arabia stands by the Sudanese people, by providing humanitarian aid worth $100 million, and organising a campaign aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese, by direct orders from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz," it added. The statement noted […]]]> 644661 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230614-qatar-emir-set-to-visit-iraq-on-thursday/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:42:14 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=644653 Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will visit Iraq on Thursday, according to the Iraqi government, Anadolu Agency reports. Government spokesman, Basim Al-Awadi, said the visit of the Qatari leader "will have important political and economic dimensions". There was no confirmation yet of the visit by the Qatari authorities. Relations between Iraq and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, of which Qatar is a member, have improved in recent years. Iraqi-Qatari relations started to improve with GCC countries re-opening their embassies and exchanging official visits to boost bilateral ties after the 2003 US-led invasion. OPINION: Are Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the way to a new order in the Middle East?]]> 644653 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230612-iran-qatar-foreign-ministers-call-for-expansion-of-bilateral-ties/ Mon, 12 Jun 2023 18:38:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=644317 Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Sunday called for further expansion of bilateral relations, Xinhua News Agency reports. According to the report, in a phone call, the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral ties, regional developments, and other issues of common concern, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website. The report says Amir-Abdollahian said the two governments enjoyed "close and friendly" relations, stressing the necessity to further develop their ties. He also thanked the Qatari government's "positive" role and "constructive" efforts in bilateral, regional and international relations. The Qatari Foreign Minister, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the friendly relations between the two governments, the report added. […]]]> 644317 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230608-israel-saudi-arabia-qatar-among-top-purchasers-of-canadas-weapons/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:16:46 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=643481 Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were among the top markets for Canadian military equipment after the United States (US) in 2022, according to a report by Canada's Department of Global Affairs. The report's updated data reveals Israel was the leading country utilising the most exported military permits, after obtaining 315 Canadian military permits last year and importing $21.33 million worth of Canadian weapons and other military technology. The US remains Canada's largest customer for weapons, however following right behind is Saudi Arabia, which received around $1.15 billion in Canadian military exports last year. The majority of Riyadh's purchase includes armoured combat vehicles with most of the shipments coming from a $15 billion contract reached in 2014 but only approved for […]]]> 643481 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230608-us-gulf-cooperation-council-say-no-military-solution-in-sudan/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:43:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=643442 The foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, stressed in a meeting that there is no military solution to the ongoing fighting in Sudan, Anadolu Agency reports. The statement was made following their meeting held in Saudi Arabia late Wednesday, according to the Council, which is made up of six Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. The statement also stressed the Council's support to diplomatic efforts by Saudi Arabia and the US to achieve a cease-fire in Sudan and to allow access to humanitarian aid without obstacles. READ: Sudan rivals resume ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia "Responding to the latest crisis in Sudan, we're continuing […]]]> 643442