- Qatar's ruler has chosen Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to take up the title of prime minister, entrusting a veteran diplomat to help the wealthy Gulf nation extend its international influence. Sheikh Mohammed will stay on as foreign minister, a role he's held since 2017. Meanwhile, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani will assume the chairmanship of the Qatar Investment Authority, the country's massive $450 billion sovereign wealth fund.
- Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani has stepped down from his roles as Prime Minister and Interior Minister, without providing an explanation for the change. However, the leadership of influential government departments such as energy, finance, and commerce remains intact.
Why it matters
As foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed has been a key figure in negotiations between Qatar and European nations regarding supplies of liquefied natural gas following Russia's incursion into Ukraine, which drastically altered energy markets.
