Qatar denies Israel gas deal

Qatar has no plans to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Israel, Qatari oil minister Abdullah Al-Attiyah said on Saturday.

"We are not discussing selling gas to Israel because we are sold out," he told reporters.

Israel's Channel Two television reported on Tuesday that Al-Attiyah had met Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and had discussed possible gas exports.

Al-Attiyah confirmed that he had met Livni, who had been in Doha for a regional conference.

The minister also said Qatar was diverting LNG previously earmarked for the European and US markets to China because of more favourable returns

"It's a good price," Al-Attiyah said. "Find me the highest price and I will do business. There is more demand in Asia today for LNG - it's long term."