Emir: Qatar to hold Shura Council election ‘soon’

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, said yesterday that Doha will hold Shura Council elections for the first time in its history very soon.

Speaking at the Shura Council session, Sheikh Tamim said: “The government is currently preparing for the Shura Council elections,” adding that “the necessary legislative tools will be presented in 2018 so that the elections are fair.”

“The government will draft the necessary legislative measures to ensure that the elections are conducted perfectly well and to avoid the need for amendment at any time,” he said.

Earlier this week, the Emir appointed four women to serve as members of the Shura Council for the first time in the country’s history.

Read: Qatar crisis could weaken GCC economic growth

Speaking yesterday, he called on Qataris and the government to be “vigilant” of the blockade countries, stressing that the country is moving forward to revive the state economically.

Remarking on Qatar’s initiative to settle differences with the countries that have imposed a blockade on it, Sheikh Tamim said: “We are ready for settlement through dialogue and based on mutual respect for sovereignty and common obligations.”

In June, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed a land and air blockade on Qatar accusing it of sponsoring terrorism. Doha strenuously denies the charges.