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 Receives Djibouti's Highest Honor

The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA
The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA
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Saudi Arabia Receives Djibouti's Highest Honor

The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA
The honor was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed. Photo by SPA

Djibouti has awarded Saudi Arabia its highest honor, the "National Independence Order of June 27th, Commander Rank," for the Kingdom's development support for the country through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh bestowed the honor, which was presented to SFD CEO Sultan Al-Marshad by Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Mohamed, SPA reported.
Al-Marshad was in Djibouti to sign an agreement providing a SAR6 million grant to rehabilitate the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Dialysis Center.
Al-Marshad thanked Djibouti’s President and Prime Minister, highlighting the 40-year relationship between the two nations.

The SFD has funded various development projects in Djibouti.