Qatar - Governmant
	In September 1992 tension arose with Saudi Arabia (with which Qatar has generally enjoyed close links) when Qatar accused Saudi forces of attacking the Qatari border post of al-Khofous, killing two border guards and capturing a third in the process. In protest, in October Qatar suspended a 1965 border agreement with Saudi Arabia (which had never been fully ratified) and temporarily withdrew its 200-strong contingent from the Saudi-based GCC ´Peninsula Shield´ force (at the time stationed in Kuwait). The Saudi Government denied the involvement of its armed forces, claiming that the incident had been caused by fighting between rival Bedouin tribes within Saudi territory. In October it was reported that relations between the two countries had improved as a result of mediation by Kuwait, and the Qatari hostage was released; Qatar nevertheless registered its disaffection by not attending meetings of GCC ministers which took place in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait in November. In December, however, after mediation by President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Sheikh Kalifa and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement whereby a committee was to be established formally to demarcate the border between the two states. Qatar subsequently resumed attendance of GCC sessions. In November 1994, however, Qatar boycotted a meeting in Saudi Arabia of GCC ministers of the interior, in protest at what it alleged to have been armed incidents on the border with Saudi Arabia in March and October. In January 1994 Qatar was reported to have commenced discussions with Israel regarding the supply of natural gas to that country, in apparent disregard for the Arab economic boycott of Israel. Following pressure from its GCC allies, Qatar announced that the proposed sale would depend on a feasibility study and on Israel´s withdrawal from all Arab occupied in 1967. In late September 1994, Qatar along with the other GCC states, revoked aspects of the economic boycott of Israel. In October 1995 Qatar´s Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his country´s support for the cancellation of the direct economic boycott of Israel, prior to the achievement of a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East. In the following month Israel signed a memorandum of intent to purchase Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG). Relations between the two countries were consolidated further in April 1996, when Shimon Peres made the first official visit to Qatar by an Israeli Prime Minister. However, in late 1996 Israel declared that the memorandum of intent had expired, although negotiations would continue, and in November Qatar stated that any deal would be dependent on progress in the peace process. In common with other Arab states, Qatar has denounced Israel´s settlement activity. In late March 1997 the ministers of foreign affairs of the Arab League countries recommended sanctions against Israel including an end to moves towards the normalization of relations and the closure of mutual trade or representative offices. Relations with Egypt, which was perceived by Qatar as having led the boycott of the Doha economic conference, deteriorated in late 1997. The Egyptian ambassador to Qatar was briefly recalled for consultations in early November, although Egypt emphasized that the boycott would not affect bilateral relations. However, Qatar´s Minister of Foreign Affairs subsequently made a statement linking Egypt to the 1996 coup attempt. Egypt strenuously denied the allegation, and Qatar´s ambassador was summoned to clarify his Government´s stance towards Egypt, particularly regarding the accusations of involvement in the failed coup. In April 1970 Sheikh Ahmad announced a provisional Constitution, providing for a partially-elected Consultative Assembly, although he retained effective power. In May the Deputy Ruler, Sheikh Khalifa Al-Thani (a cousin of Sheikh Ahmad), was appointed Prime Minister. After the failure of attempts to agree terms for union with neighbouring Gulf countries, Qatar became fully independent on 1 September 1971, whereupon the Ruler took the title of Amir. The 1916 treaty was replaced by a new treaty of friendship with the United Kingdom. In 1995 Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani waged a successful bloodless coup against his father Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, emir of Qatar. Sheikh Hamad and President Mubarak met in Saudi Arabia in early December, for discussions hosted by King Fahd: both expressed regret at the recent deterioration in their normally cordial relations. In that month, however, Egypt announced that Qatari nationals wishing to enter Egypt would be required first to obtain visas. In early 1998, furthermore, it was reported that the contracts of some 500 Egyptian experts and advisers in Qatar, mainly working for the Ministry of the Interior, had been terminated, and that those affected would be required to leave the country within one month. In late March the Amir visited Egypt, where he was received by Mubarak; both parties stated that good relations existed between the two countries.