DOHA, 30 October — Qatari officials yesterday denied rumors on financial markets of a coup attempt in the state, seen as a possible launchpad for any US attack on Iraq.
"This is rubbish," said an official at the emir’s court. A Foreign Ministry official said the rumor was "nonsense".
Qatar has the world’s third largest natural gas reserves.
Gulf-based diplomats said they had no information of any coup attempt in Qatar, whose Al-Udeid base is home to some 3,000 US troops and which analysts say might be used for any military attack against Iraq.
Residents said all appeared normal in the country, which US Middle East envoy William Burns visited yesterday as part of a regional tour. Burns held talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Jassim ibn Hamad Al-Thani.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani — who overthrew his father in a bloodless palace coup in 1995 — is touring North Africa with Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassim ibn Jabr Al-Thani. (Reuters)
