When Qatar celebrated seeing its natural gas production reach 77 million tons last month, the Emir of Qatar had interesting things to say about the deputy prime minister and minister of oil, Abdullah Hamad Al-Attiyah. During the showing of a documentary film on Qatar’s development of its gas production to guests from the world of industry and petroleum, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani spoke about Al-Attiyah’s contribution, describing him as “the honest minister who played a huge role in developing this industry to where it stands today in Qatar.”
Also yesterday, the appointment of Al-Attiyah as head of the Emir’s court, or Diwan, while remaining deputy prime minister, was considered a move by the Emir to bring Al-Attiyah closer to him, or a promotion. However, the move shocked OPEC circles, which had become used to the skilled minister and experienced politician who played a big role in the organization’s conferences. He has always brought together divergent viewpoints, and helped, along with his Saudi colleague Ali Nuaymi, in keeping politics out of OPEC and seeing its conferences succeed.
Abdullah Al-Attiyah has more than two decades of experience in the oil and gas sector. During the first decade, he was the office director of the oil minister, the Emir’s brother, and then took on the oil and gas industry portfolio 19 years ago. Under the supervision of the Emir, Al-Attiyah turned the sector in this small emirate into a modern and advanced industry, as all heads of international oil companies attest that it has pursued a distinguished course of development. Al-Attiyah successfully selected a team of the finest experts in the sector, all known for their considerable honesty and loyalty when it comes to their work. They functioned in a ministry that enjoyed a fundamentally important place in Qatar and in the world, as it became a world-class institution.
OPEC will certainly miss one of its leading ministers, bearing in mind that Al-Attiyah might play a different political role as the chief of the Emir’s Diwan, at the Emir’s side. Al-Attiyah has wide-ranging historical and cultural knowledge of all countries in the Arab region, led by Lebanon, which he considers his second homeland. He has often undertaken behind-the-scenes contacts to calm the situation between the Lebanese sides, since he has excellent relations with all groups, from the majority to the opposition. He is also knowledgeable about the history and details of Iraq, Syria, Iran and Gulf countries.
Although Arab and international oil circles are sad to see Al-Attiyah leave the oil ministry, even if his successor Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada is known as a good minister chosen and appointed by Al-Attiyah, and has worked closely with him for more than a year, Al-Attiyah’s appointment as head of the Emir’s Diwan could mean that his ability and wisdom will be benefited from in treating difficult regional issues that Qatar could help solve. This is especially true with today’s crisis in Lebanon; Al-Attiyah, as the Emir said, is an “honest minister,” and has always played the role of fair arbiter. This could benefit his country considerably.
Qatar now aspires to create the infrastructure to let it host the 2022 World Cup. It has a new head of the Emir’s Diwan – a person who has experience in international industries, and can help considerably on this front as well. While OPEC may have been shocked, and has lost a distinguished figure, Qatar and its Emir wanted to benefit more from their “honest minister.”
Also yesterday, the appointment of Al-Attiyah as head of the Emir’s court, or Diwan, while remaining deputy prime minister, was considered a move by the Emir to bring Al-Attiyah closer to him, or a promotion. However, the move shocked OPEC circles, which had become used to the skilled minister and experienced politician who played a big role in the organization’s conferences. He has always brought together divergent viewpoints, and helped, along with his Saudi colleague Ali Nuaymi, in keeping politics out of OPEC and seeing its conferences succeed.
Abdullah Al-Attiyah has more than two decades of experience in the oil and gas sector. During the first decade, he was the office director of the oil minister, the Emir’s brother, and then took on the oil and gas industry portfolio 19 years ago. Under the supervision of the Emir, Al-Attiyah turned the sector in this small emirate into a modern and advanced industry, as all heads of international oil companies attest that it has pursued a distinguished course of development. Al-Attiyah successfully selected a team of the finest experts in the sector, all known for their considerable honesty and loyalty when it comes to their work. They functioned in a ministry that enjoyed a fundamentally important place in Qatar and in the world, as it became a world-class institution.
OPEC will certainly miss one of its leading ministers, bearing in mind that Al-Attiyah might play a different political role as the chief of the Emir’s Diwan, at the Emir’s side. Al-Attiyah has wide-ranging historical and cultural knowledge of all countries in the Arab region, led by Lebanon, which he considers his second homeland. He has often undertaken behind-the-scenes contacts to calm the situation between the Lebanese sides, since he has excellent relations with all groups, from the majority to the opposition. He is also knowledgeable about the history and details of Iraq, Syria, Iran and Gulf countries.
Although Arab and international oil circles are sad to see Al-Attiyah leave the oil ministry, even if his successor Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada is known as a good minister chosen and appointed by Al-Attiyah, and has worked closely with him for more than a year, Al-Attiyah’s appointment as head of the Emir’s Diwan could mean that his ability and wisdom will be benefited from in treating difficult regional issues that Qatar could help solve. This is especially true with today’s crisis in Lebanon; Al-Attiyah, as the Emir said, is an “honest minister,” and has always played the role of fair arbiter. This could benefit his country considerably.
Qatar now aspires to create the infrastructure to let it host the 2022 World Cup. It has a new head of the Emir’s Diwan – a person who has experience in international industries, and can help considerably on this front as well. While OPEC may have been shocked, and has lost a distinguished figure, Qatar and its Emir wanted to benefit more from their “honest minister.”
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