Qatar

Qatar says Taliban office not for Islamic Emirate

The Taliban office opened in Doha to facilitate peace talks does not carry the name of the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," as it appeared earlier, Qatar said on Wednesday. Afghan President Hamid Karzai...

Unions seek probe of Qatari buyout of famed French store

Unions at the French department store Printemps have asked authorities to open a probe into what they call opaque finances in the sale of the luxury shop chain...

Al-Jazeera leads Arab news channels

Al-Jazeera is the Middle East and North Africa's most-watched Arabic-language television channel, according to an independent survey, the Qatar-based broadcaster...

Qatari emir slams international inaction over Syria

The emir of Qatar, a strong supporter of the Syrian rebels, on Monday slammed what he called inaction by the international community over the conflict there, lamenting...

Qatar buys into billion-dollar Milan skyscraper project

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund has bought a 40-percent stake in a new 290,000-square metre skyscraper project near the centre of Milan with a commercial value of...

“As Qatar’s investments grow, Europe, and in particular Britain, needs to consider the risks that such dependence entails”

While no one doubts that alliance building with Qatar could be beneficial and mutually advantageous to both countries, Britain needs to start weighing up the risks...

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Fast Facts

Official Name:	State of Qatar

Population:	1,5 million (UN)

Capital:	Doha

Government:	Emirate

Leaders:	Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani

Religion:	Muslim 77,5%, Christian 8,5%, other 14% (2004 census)

Languages:	Arabic (official), English widely spoken

GDP:	$150.6 billion (CIA 2010 est.)

GDP/Capita:	$179,000 (CIA 2010 est.)

Main exports:	Liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel

Time zone:	GMT + 3

International dialing code:	+974

Currency:	1 Qatar Rial (QAR) = USD 0.2746

Country briefing

Once known for pearl fishing, this former British protectorate has gone from one of the poorest states in the Gulf to become one of the richest in the world. Ruled by the Al-Thani family since the mid 19thcentury, Qatar has pursued a more liberal route since Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani replaced his father in a bloodless coup in 1995. Women are now allowed to vote and stand for office, but ultimate power still lies with the Emir and his family.