September 2, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

The minister with the Midas touch
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, September 2, Graphic News:  Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani has risen to international prominence partly through his efforts to ensure that the Gulf state of Qatar remains one of the wealthiest in the world. At home, his countrymen believe his personal fortune bodes well for their future, and the emir once quipped: ÒI may run this country, but he owns itÓ.

As head of the Qatar Investment Authority, Sheikh Hamad has led recent forays into overseas investment (including in BarclayÕs bank), and helped to bolster Qatar as a financial hub to rival Dubai. But the sheikh combines financial clout with political power to an unusual degree: since 1992 he has served as foreign minister of the emirate.

In this role, too, Sheikh Hamad has proven his talents as a dealmaker. In May he was credited with a major diplomatic success after Qatar led talks that led to a truce between the Western-backed government of Lebanon and opposition, led by Hezbollah. That a fresh civil war was averted owes something to his ability to stay friends with all sides.

But the pragmatic sheikh has never been afraid to swim against the tide. Born in 1959, he studied in Lebanon and England before a brief stint as minister of municipal affairs and agriculture. In 1995 he supported emir Hamad bin KhalifaÕs coup against his father. He has been criticized for his reforming zeal, and for his scrutiny of Qatari political systems.

However, few take issue with his stewardship of the QIA and the Qatari billions. The English-speaking sheikh with a fondness for Cuban cigars and luxury properties across London is on course to ensure Qatar pays for itself long after its gas reserves run out.
/ENDS
Ê
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamad_ibn_Jassim_ibn_Jabr_Al_Thani
http://www.ft.com/se" http://www.ft.com/se
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/qatar/index.html?inline=nyt-geo
topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/qatar/index.html?inline=nyt-geo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7412543.stm