Doha: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to President of the United Arab Emirates H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the anniversary of his accession to the throne. The Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a similar cable to the UAE President.

Algerian President gets Emir’s message

Algiers: Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika received yesterday a verbal message from the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, pertaining to bilateral ties and issues of common interest. The message was conveyed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah al Mahmoud during a meeting with President Bouteflika here yesterday. During the meeting, the Minister conveyed to the Algerian President greetings of the Emir, wishing him the best of health and for the Algerian people of further progress and prosperity. The Algerian president asked the Minister to convey his greetings to the Emir his wishes for him of best health and to the Qatari people of more development and prosperity. Following the meeting, Minister said in a statement to Algeria news agency that his visit to Algeria comes within the context of the coordination between the two countries. “I’ve briefed President Bouteflika on several issues and I am grateful for his directives and I will convey his message to the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.” The meeting was attended by Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci, Qatar’s Ambassador to Algeria Ali Mubarak Al Nuaimi and the delegation accompanying the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Arabs support Megrahi’s release, says survey

DOHA: Six out of 10 Arabs support the Scottish government’s decision to send the convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Al Megrahi back to Libya on compassionate grounds, according to a regional survey sponsored by the Doha Debates.

A similar number of respondents didn’t believe Libya would have done the same. The opinion poll was carried out by YouGov.   

 The poll was completed during the third week of October with more than 1,000 respondents from 18 Arab countries.

 Over half – 55 percent - of those interviewed cast doubt on Al Megrahi’s conviction for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. A similar number said they had no idea who else might have carried out the attack.