Qatar Holds First Legislative Elections

A night view of Doha, Qatar. (AFP)
A night view of Doha, Qatar. (AFP)
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Qatar Holds First Legislative Elections

A night view of Doha, Qatar. (AFP)
A night view of Doha, Qatar. (AFP)

Qataris go to the polls on Saturday in the Gulf state's first legislative elections, to choose two-thirds of the advisory Shura Council.

Thirty members of the 45-seat body will be elected, while Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will continue to appoint the remaining 15 members of the Council, which will have legislative authority and approve general state policies and the budget.

The Council has no control over executive bodies setting defense, security, economic and investment policy.

Eighteen women are standing from among around 183 candidates hoping to be elected at polling stations across 30 districts in the country, which has for several years held municipal elections.

Campaigning has taken place on social media, community meetings and roadside billboards.

Qatar's deputy prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani last month described the vote as a new "experiment" and said the Council cannot be expected from the first year to have the "full role of any parliament".

All candidates had to be approved by the interior ministry against a host of criteria, including age, character and criminal history. Candidates have also been required to register official campaign events with the ministry in advance.

Most of Qatar's 2.5 million residents are foreigners, ineligible to vote.



Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Development of Military Ties

The Saudi Crown Prince receiving the Pakistani army commander in Riyadh (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince receiving the Pakistani army commander in Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Development of Military Ties

The Saudi Crown Prince receiving the Pakistani army commander in Riyadh (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince receiving the Pakistani army commander in Riyadh (SPA)

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, met on Wednesday with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to discuss bilateral relations and explore opportunities for further development, particularly in the military sector. The meeting, held in the Crown Prince’s office in Riyadh, covered a range of shared interests.
Attending the reception on the Saudi side were Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Defense; Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Advisor; Khalid Al-Humaidan, Head of General Intelligence; Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, Advisor to the Royal Court; General Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, Chief of the General Staff; and Nawaf Al-Maliki, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan.
Representing Pakistan were Ahmad Farooq, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Brigadier Mohammad Asim, Military Attaché at the embassy in Riyadh.
In a separate meeting, Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Defense Minister, also met with General Asim Munir to discuss the historic ties between the two countries, focusing on strategic cooperation in military and defense areas and exploring ways to strengthen and expand bilateral ties. They also discussed various issues of mutual concern.