Emir of Qatar arrives for a state visit

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani arrived here tonight for his maiden two-day state visit to the country.

The aircraft carrying the King and his delegation arrived at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here at 8.45pm.

Sheikh Tamim, who ascended the throne on June 25, 2013, as the eighth Emir of Qatar was greeted on arrival by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

The visit, at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, is the first to be made by the Emir since the last state visit made by his father Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Al Thani in May 2009.

According to Wisma Putra, the visit will provide an opportunity for leaders of both countries to discuss bilateral issues and exchange views on issues of common interest.

As part of his visit, Sheikh Tamim will be given a state welcome at Parliament House tomorrow morning, before having an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, and later, attending a state banquet at Istana Negara in the evening.

Sheikh Tamim is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya on the same day.

-- BERNAMA