King pledges strong Qatar ties

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman yesterday held talks with Qatar’s leaders reflecting the warmth of neighborly relations between the two countries.
The telephone conversations came as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s new emir, formed a government yesterday. Sheikh Tamim came to power after his father Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani abdicated in his favor this week.
King Abdullah congratulated both Sheikh Tamim and Sheikh Hamad for the smooth transition of power and wished greater progress and prosperity for Qatar and its people.
King Abdullah had sent Second Deputy Premier Prince Muqrin to Doha to convey his greetings to the new ruler.
“The Saudi government and people wish every success to Sheikh Tamim and every progress and stability for Qatar under his wise leadership,” Muqrin said.
The second deputy premier highlighted the strong and historic relations between the two countries. Muqrin later returned to Jeddah.
In a televised address to the nation, Sheikh Tamim said his country seeks strong ties with all governments. According to AFP, Sheikh Tamim said Qatar “rejects divisions in Arab societies on sectarian lines.”
He said: “We seek to preserve relations with all governments and countries and we respect all sincere, active and effective political directions in the region but we do not support one side over the other.