Emir of Qatar and wife Sheikha Mozah in Spain - day one (photos)

Sheikha Mozah, Queen Sofia, Princess Letizia.

Mozah is the Emir's second wife. Her second son is the Heir Apparent to the throne, as her older son resigned a few years ago. She is 51 years old.

Sheikha Mozah with Queen Sofia, Infanta Cristina and Princess Letizia

Infanta Cristina, Queen Sofia, Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, King Juan Carlos I, Sheikha Mozah, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia on the Emir's official visit to Spain. These photos were taken just before their official lunch.

source of the photos

Emir of Qatar welcomed by King Juan Carlos I as he starts state visit in Spain

The emir of Qatar arrived in Madrid on Monday on a visit to boost economic ties between the oil-rich Gulf state and Spain, which is seeking new investments to shore up its battered economy.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and his wife, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, lunched with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the royal palace of Zarazuela outside Madrid following their arrival.

On Tuesday, he is to hold talks over lunch with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, after which several agreements will be signed, Spanish media reported.

The three-day visit follows a trip to the tiny Gulf state by Zapatero in March during which he received pledges of some 3.0 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in investments, some of which would go to Spain's ailing savings banks.

Days later, Spanish power giant Iberdrola said that Qatari investment fund Qatar Holding would buy a 6.16 percent stake in the group for 2.2 billion euros. Spain is also interested in investment opportunities for its construction companies raised by Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup, the business daily Cinco Dias reported.

Spain is battling to rein in its massive public deficit and convince nervous markets that it will not require an international bailout similar to that requested by neighbour Portugal this month and granted to Greece and Ireland last year.

source

King and Queen of Jordan pay visit to Qatar to talk about present situation in Middle-East and North Africa

King Abdullah of Jordan has said that his country was working in collaboration with Qatar to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Libya.

King Abdullah who was on a brief visit to Qatar yesterday held talks with the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The talks focused on regional and international issues and ways to bolster bilateral relations.

The session was attended by the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

On the Jordanian side, it was attended by Prince Ali bin Al Hussein and Chief of Royal Hashemite Court Dr Khaled Karaki and Jordanian Ambassador to Qatar Ahmed Jalal Al Mefleh.

The Emir and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser hosted a luncheon banquet at Al Wajba Palace in honour of King Abdullah and Queen Rania.

The luncheon banquet was also attended by the Heir Apparent.

King Abdullah, in remarks to Al Sharq before his arrival in Qatar said that his talks with the Emir would focus on Arab issues in the context of the current challenges and protests in the Arab world. He also underlined the need for more coordinated efforts to address the challenges.

Asked about relations with Qatar, King Abdullah said, “Surely we will concentrate on ways to strengthen relations with Qatar and other GCC countries for the benefit of our people.”

Commenting on the role of Qatar in Libya, King Abdullah said, “I am following all the developments in Libya and I am interested in the unity of Libya and the safety of its people. What is happening there would have a negative impact on the people, who are in need of help from their Arab brothers.”

“We are aware that Qatar is playing a crucial role since the beginning of the protests to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people. Our policy is to support Qatar in seeking the unity of Libyans. We will carry out our duty to provide more medical and humanitarian aid to the people in Libya,” he added.

“Currently we are providing humanitarian aid through out royal air force in line with the decision of the Arab League and the international community. We will coordinate with Qatar to establish mobile hospitals in Libya equipped with qualified medical staff,” said King Abdullah.

On the stalled peace process, King Abdullah said the developments in the region should not force the Arabs to stop supporting the peace process.

source