[caption id="attachment_34933" align="alignright" width="210"] Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (L) and his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim[/caption]
Iran’s Ambassador to Qatar Mohammad Javad Asayesh says power transition in Qatar heralds a positive prospect in bilateral relations between Tehran and Doha.
“It seems that following this change, a new generation will take the helm in different positions and we hope that there will be some developments in the relations between Iran and Qatar and they will lead to promotion of ties,” Asayesh said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani officially abdicated power in favor of his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The 61-year-old Emir, who had overthrown his father in a coup in 1995, handed over the power to his 33-year-old son after 18 years of ruling the country.

The Iranian diplomat hailed the power shift as beneficial to Tehran-Doha ties and noted that since Iran’s June 14 presidential election has also been widely welcomed in Qatar, both developments can be construed as highly positive factors for mutual ties.
“We closely monitor Qatar’s developments and wait for further details through announcements. Qatar is our close neighbor in the Persian Gulf and tranquility and stability in this country or in any other neighboring country is important to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Asayesh said.
Tamim is currently the joint commander of Qatari armed forces and the head of the kingdom’s Olympic Committee.

Sources, meanwhile, have stated that the Qatari Emir further plans a major cabinet reshuffle in an effort to bring in a considerable number of younger ministers following the father-to-son power shift.

Qatar’s international standing has been greatly undermined, particularly across the Muslim world, because of its deep involvement in supporting the foreign-backed militancy against the Syrian government.

By Press TV

 

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