Syria rejects Arab troops, UN urged to step in through Ch. 7

Syria on Tuesday ruled out any deployment of Arab troops as proposed by Qatar to halt 10 months of deadly unrest, as army defectors urged the UN Security Council to intervene.

“Syria rejects the statements of officials of Qatar on sending Arab troops to worsen the crisis (more…)

Qatar, Shell in $6.4 billion petrochemical complex agreement

Qatar signed a deal with Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) on Sunday to develop a $6.4 billion petrochemicals complex in the Ras Laffan industrial city in the Gulf Arab state.

Qatar’s energy minister, Mohammed al-Sada, and Shell chief executive Peter Voser signed the agreement in Doha.

“We estimate the cost to be $6.4 billion but at this stage one should be cautious,” Sada said.
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Arab League’s ‘roar’ at Syria shows how tiny Qatar is starting to flex its muscle

By Robert Fisk
The suspension is a serious challenge to President Bashar al-Assad. He and his father Hafez promoted Syria as the “Mother of the Arab Nation” – now the “Arab Nation” wants to humiliate it.

Turkey, Syria, Qatar to host exiled Palestinians

A group of 40 Palestinian detainees being exiled overseas under a deal to free a captured Israeli soldier will be sent to Turkey, Syria and Qatar, ” (more…)

Qatar Emir: Syrian people will not turn back on their demands

Qatar’s emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said Monday that Syrians are determined to keep protesting against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime despite a deadly crackdown. (more…)

Qatar Emir survives an attempted assassination

Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani was attacked on his way to his Palace, Al Fajr newspaper reported on Monday . (more…)

Qatar breaks Arab ranks over Syria

Qatar lived up to its reputation as a maverick in Middle Eastern politics this week by suspending the operations of its embassy in Damascus.

Qatar Ambassador quits Damascus , suspends mission

Qatar’s ambassador to Damascus, Zayed al-Khayarine, has quit Syria and the Qatari embassy in Damascus has suspended its mission indefinitely after pro-government Syrians attacked the building housing it (more…)

Hezbollah chief slammed for backing Assad

Arabs have reacted sharply to the speech on Friday by Syed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, with people in Qatar saying the charismatic Shia leader has lost his credibility because of his stand on the pro-reform protests in Bahrain and Syria. (more…)

GCC to consider Jordan, Morocco member requests

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is considering requests from Morocco and Jordan to join the Gulf Arab political bloc, the secretary general said in a news conference on Tuesday in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (more…)