DOHA, 4 April 2007 — Foreign Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassem ibn Jabr Al-Thani was yesterday appointed prime minister of Qatar in place of Sheikh Abdullah ibn Khalifa Al-Thani. Sheikh Hamad’s appointment was announced minutes after the state media reported the resignation of Sheikh Abdullah, a half brother of Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani. Political observers in Qatar said that the resignation of 48-year-old Sheikh Abdullah came as no surprise after persistent reports recently that he was “tired.”

Sheikh Abdullah was appointed prime minister and minister of interior on Oct. 29, 1996. For the last several years his post was largely ceremonial. He appeared last week in a public ceremony after a long gap when he opened the annual Doha Cultural Festival.

Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassem has long been seen as one of the most influential figures in Qatari politics. He will lead the council of ministers and will continue his job as minister of foreign affairs, the official news agency QNA said.

Energy Minister Sheikh Abdullah ibn Hamad Al-Attiyah retains his post and also stays on as deputy prime minister. He was second deputy prime minister in the previous Cabinet.

All other ministers in the Cabinet retained their jobs. A new post of state minister for energy and industrial affairs was created with Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada, who had been managing director of RasGas company, appointed to the post.

On Sunday, Qatar held municipal council elections, only the third local elections in the emirate. The country’s first partial legislative election is expected later this year.

The last Cabinet reshuffle in the country took place in December 2003, when Sheikh Mohammed ibn Ahmed ibn Jassem Al-Thani was appointed minister of economy and trade. However, in March last year he was relieved from his post by Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al-Thani.

The following is the full line-up of ministers:

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: Sheikh Abdullah ibn Khalifa Al-Thani;

Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy, Industry, Electricity and Water: Abdullah ibn Hamad Al-Attiyah;

Finance, Economy and Trade Minister: Yussef Hussein Kamal;

Interior Minister: Sheikh Abdullah ibn Khaled Al-Thani;

Civil Affairs and Housing Minister: Sultan ibn Hassan ibn Dhabet Al-Dossari;

Municipal Affairs and Agriculture Minister: Abdulrahman ibn Khalifa ibn Abdulaziz Al-Thani;

Justice Minister: Hassan ibn Abdullah Al-Ghanem;

Education Minister: Sheikha bint Ahmad Al-Mahmud;

Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Minister: Faisal ibn Abdullah Al-Mahmud;

Minister of State for Interior: Sheikh Abdullah ibn Nasser ibn Khalifa Al-Thani;

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs: Ahmad Abdullah Al-Mahmud;

Minister of State for Energy and Industry: Mohammad Saleh Al-Sada; and

Minister of State: Mohammad ibn Khaled Al-Thani.