Tokyo, September 19 (QNA) – Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, who is currently leading Qatar delegation to the “LNG Produced-Consumer Conference” in Japan held today two separate meetings to discuss cooperation with Australia and Japan in the energy and industry sectors.
HE Dr. Al-Sada met this morning with Martin Ferguson, the Australian Minister for Resources and Energy, alongside of the METI Conference.
Talks during the meeting covered cooperation between Qatar and Australia in the energy fields, and means to enhance it, in addition to issues of mutual interests.
Later in the day, HE Dr. Al-Sada, held talks with Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan.
The meeting which was held at the office of the Japanese Minister at METI, discussed the bilateral cooperation in the industry sector, and means to enhance it, in addition to issues of mutual interests.
The two meetings were attended by HE. Yousuf Mohammed Bilal, Qatar Ambassador to Japan, and the delegation accompanying Dr. Al- Sada to the Conference.
Earlier today HE Dr. Al-Sada delivered a keynote speech at the opening session of the conference, which is hosted jointly by the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan Asia Pacific Energy Research Center to discuss the outlook for supply of LNG.
The METI Conference, which is attended by officials from producing countries and companies, as well as major consumers, will conclude its sessions on  September 21.(QNA)

Cairo, September 19 (QNA) – Qatar’s Ambassador to Egypt and its Permanent Representative to the Arab League  HE  Saif bin Muqqadam Al Buainain met here today with the Grand Mufti of Egypt Dr. Ali Gomaa. During the meeting, they discussed relations between Qatar and the Egyptian Fatwa house and ways of enhancing them.
HE Ambassador al Buainain also met with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar  Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb al-Sharif.
During the meeting, they discussed relations between Qatar and Al-Azhar.
The Qatari Ambassador also met with Egyptian Minister of Investment Osama Saleh and discussed with him bilateral ties and ways of enhancing them and issues of common interest, especially in areas of  investment.(QNA)

Doha, September 19 (QNA) -HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has  expressed the hope that there will be a solution to the Syrian crisis despite the difficult conditions there, stressing that he trusts in the efforts the UN-Arab League envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi. but he said he does not trust the intentions of the other party.
In an interview with the Kuwaiti  daily newspaper  Al Rai published in its today’s edition, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim also expressed fear that Brahimi’s mission would be exploited in a bad way and thus be an opportunity for more killings in Syria.
On  US hesitating stance and President Barack Obama was not taking decisive positions towards the Syrian file,  HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said he believed that “in the end there will be a solution in the interest of the Syrian people, but the question is when and how?, he added  noting that the US elections are nearing and also  that  there are different attitudes by other countries, but in the end I expect that all  must  make a decision for the interest of the Syrian people.” HE the Premier and Foreign Minister added.

 On  changes witnessed by the Qatari-Lebanese relations recently since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, said  ” As I know  if  what has happened today, occurred in 2006 in Lebanon, and despite all the differences in views, HH Emir would take the same decision for the reconstruction of what had been destroyed by Israel, the decision taken by HH the Emir is unwavering principle and not  changing by  locations. “, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister underlined.
He added that “the decision taken by Qatar to extend help to Lebanon  was  its  contribution to the reconstruction of what  had been destroyed by Israel  and in support of  the Lebanese brave resistance , and we are not repentant at any position, said HE the Premier and Foreign Minister. He said:   Our constant, firmed and principled position  in the United Nations is  with Lebanon and with the resistance,  despite differing views or emotions on Syria, we also had a special relations with Syria  but  this will not be at the expense of the Syrian people, and for  those who disagree or agree with us  in Lebanon or elsewhere, we said history will be the judge in these matters. “, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister noted
On  the relations  with Lebanese ruling majority today, led by Hezbollah, HE Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said : “Our relationship with Hezbollah is not bad, but there is a difference in views, He added  our point of view is  clear, and we may vary with a friend or an enemy or any other party. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim  stressed :  “Our official relations is through the Lebanese state  and not any other party, we’ve assisted the Lebanese people and not any party. “
On  reports  that  Qatar is  no longer receive or employ Lebanese Shi’a because of  the Hezbollah position  Lebanon, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister denied  that, saying, “This is not true.”   
On protests in reaction to the film offending the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), HE the Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani  believed that there were motives behind such  acts. He said :  “If there is a word more than bad,  I would say it about  this offending  film, what happened was unjustified and unacceptable offence to every Muslim, he stressed,  but we must look for the roots of this act, which was intended for making  strife between Copts and Muslims in Egypt, I would do not rule out the presence of actors behind this sedition, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister said :  He  added  in order for us be realistic, we have to know that  the US administration has no interest  to be involved in this matter , and I’m sure that  it has nothing to do with it.  ” We have to think carefully about it and its  timing which aimed at stirring confrontations, I say that and I see that the person who made this film is a person without values and  even has  evil thoughts. “,  HE the Premier and Foreign Minister said.

Regarding new Qatari investment opportunities or important deals, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister said that the concerned authorities are always studying new things, but for legal considerations, they are only announced after being sealed.
On  reports that Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) being interested in the acquisition of  shares in Kuwaiti financial institutions, HE Sheikh Hama bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said that QIA did not seek that, however, there are Qatari companies investing in the Kuwaiti market, and Kuwaiti Companies investing in the Qatari market, adding that it is a positive situation and a source of strength to the GCC countries.
On whether the Qatari investment have achieved the desired end thereof, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that the investment projects, are going according the plan drawn, asserting that they are not intended for show-off, but rather for achieving additional financial revenue that is meant to be saved for future generations.
On  the accusations  that Qatar  supports  the global organization of the Muslim Brotherhood, HE the Premier and Foreign Minister said   these are  rumors, and we know very well who spread  them, he added.
On reports that Qatar supported the Muslim Brotherhood to rule in Egypt, and the negative impact of that on Qatar’s relations with some of the Gulf States, HE  the Premier and Foreign Minister said that Qatar has no  problem with anyone, as it maintains balanced relationships with all parties, and this does not affect the relationship with Gulf States. He added that Qatar openly announced that it supports  peoples freedom to choose  who rule  them  through elections.
Regarding rumors about support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, he reiterated  that Qatar maintains balanced relationships with all parties, and that its stance in supporting any cause is not undisclosed, adding that it is rather very clear. I do not think that any GCC country does not respect Qatar’s opinion on  major causes, and likewise, Qatar respects theirs, said HE the Premier.
On his last meetings with Saddam Hussain, Gaddafi and Bashar Al-Assad, HE Sheikh Hama bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said that he met with Saddam Hussain in 2003 where he had told him that the war by US and its allies was coming and that he had to choose between Iraq’s survival and his own. HE added that he had proposed, to Saddam, a transitional period and briefed Saddam on all its details. One day we will reveal that, he added.
HE the premier said that he had also met with Al-Assad. He said that he did not meet with Gaddafi, he only had telephone conversations with him where, he added, he offered him advice to which Gaddafi did not listen.
HE the Premier said that any president that spares his country and people from destruction and death is a brave president. He said that there is a point where this president and his people can reach to solutions, adding that what matters is that these solutions need to be genuine and addressing the people’s demands of reforms.

Luxembourg, September 19 (QNA) – Grand Duke of Luxembourg  received the credentials of HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, during his meeting with HE Ambassador Sheikh Ali bin Jassim here today.
At the beginning of the meeting, HE ambassador conveyed greetings of  HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani  their wishes for  the people of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg of further progress and prosperity.
  For his part, HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg asked HE Ambassador Sheikh Ali bin Jassim to convey his  greetings  to HH the Emir and HH the Heir Apparent  and his wishes to the people of Qatar of further development and prosperity.(QNA)

Doha, September 19 (QNA) – HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, the President of Qatar Football Association (QFA), on Wednesday presided over a meeting with club officials and heads of sports sections of local media. During the meeting held at Bidda Tower, the headquarters of QFA, a number of key topics were taken up inter-alia reducing the number of players allowed to be registered as per Article 32 of the Rules of competitions from 35 players to 30 players as from next season 2013 -2014 and raising the salaries of  the Qatari players by 67% as from the same season.
It was also agreed to developing controls to register the local professional players according to  the 4 + 7 base to help the technical machinery of the national team to take advantage of all the players without foreigners to get them involved in the national teams.
They also agreed to set controls for the transmission of youngsters under 18 years through the technical committee of the QFC and tighten sanctions manipulate contracts of the players and approved the mandatory post players of national teams in the proportion of 50% of the games with their clubs and to prevent trainers from overtime, especially in the media only with the consent of the technical commission and determine bonuses ratios obtained by the clubs in support of national teams. (QNA)

Doha, September 19 (QNA) – Top karatekas from 11 countries will be seen in action at the Qatar International Karate Championship opening here on September 21 at the Al Sadd Stadium.
Around eighty players will compete for top honours in six individual and one team event at the two-day championships, Qatar Karate Federation (QKF) officials said.
Karatekas from England, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, Sudan, Morocco and Qatar have confirmed participation  in the championship.
QKF General Secretary Eid Ali Al Muraikhi said, “Winner in each category will receive  550 euros, while the second place finisher will get 300 euros, the two third place finishers will get 150 euros each.”
Six individual events and in one Kumite team event will be held during the championship.
“Each of the eleven countries taking part will field four players in the individual event while in the team event five players will take to the floor and two will be on the reserve bench,” Muraikhi told The Peninsula.
The QKF official informed that a large number of match officials, coaches and office bearers of the world karate governing body will be in Doha for the event.
“We have made arrangements for the arrival of around 40 officials. All the officials will be in Doha today,” he said and added that the draw will be held Thursday at Al Sadd stadium.
“The weighing of players will take place on Thursday evening followed by referees and coaches meeting and the days programme will end with a draw ceremony at 7.00pm,” said Muraikhi.
The QKF, he said are leaving no stone unturned for the successful conduct of the championship.
“We are hosting this international championship for the first time and we working round the clock to make it a huge success. All the arrangements are in place and the various committees have met several times. It is a good learning experience for all of us in organising a big event like this,” he said.
QKF Executive Director Adel Al Marzouqi and QKF Technical Expert Rashid Mohammed Herald were also present during the press briefing. (QNA)

Doha, September 19 (QNA) – Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Ismail Tiliwaldi left Doha on Wednesday along with his accompanying delegation upon concluding a three-day official  visit to Qatar.
The Chinese official was seen off upon departure at Doha international airport by HE Deputy Speaker of the Advisory Council, Issa bin Rabi’a al-Kuwari, a number of the Council’s officials, and China’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Zhang Zhiliang. (QNA)

Monaco,  September 19 (QNA) – Sovereign Prince of Monaco Albert II, has received a written message from HH the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, handed over the message during an audience here Wednesday with the Prince of Monaco. (QNA)