Qatar gets new prime minister; Emir makes cabinet reshuffle

Doha: Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has made a cabinet reshuffle, and the new prime minister is Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who has been holding the portfolio of foreign minister, a post he will continue to hold.

As prelude to the cabinet reshuffle the Emir accepted the resignation of Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al Thani.

The new prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed has been serving as Qatar’s foreign minister since 2016 and was the public face of Qatar as it went through a three-and-a-half-year blockade by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.

The outgoing premier, Sheikh Khalid was appointed PM in January 2020 after having been head of the Amiri Diwan, the emir’s office.

He had worked in the gas industry of the world's leading natural gas exporter and was educated in the United States before going on to work for Sheikh Tamim when he was the crown prince.

The emir’s office also announced the appointment of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as interior minister.

Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari and Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi were reappointed in the cabinet reshuffle, the first since Qatar hosted the 2022 football World Cup.

The emir also restructured the board of sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority, appointing central bank Governor Sheikh Bandar Bin Mohammed Bin Saoud al-Thani as chairman to replace Sheikh Mohammed, the emir’s office said.

In October 2021, Qatar held its first legislative council election for two-thirds of the advisory Shura Council.

The Shura Council has legislative authority and approves general state policies and the budget but has no say in the setting of defence, internal security, economic and investment policy for the wealthy gas producer.