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Qatar, Israel discuss LNG purchase
Israel has asked Qatar to consider selling it natural gas, Israeli television reported on Tuesday, a deal that could help warm ties between the Jewish state and the Arab world.
Channel Two television said Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who was in Doha for a regional conference, met Qatari Energy Minister Abdullah Al-Attiyah to discuss a possible gas purchase that would be worth as much as $11.4 billion.
Qatar is the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is gas chilled to its liquid form for shipping.
Like all six US.-allied Gulf Arab states, Qatar does not have official diplomatic ties with Israel, but unlike them it does host a small Israeli trade mission.
A Livni spokesman in Jerusalem could not immediately be reached for comment.
The head of Israel's trade office in Doha Roi Rosenblit declined to comment on what was discussed at the meeting, although he confirmed Livni and Al-Attiyah met.
Israel is looking to diversify its energy supplies and would like LNG to be part of the mix, an industry source said.
Israel and Qatar are both key US allies. Qatar hosts the US military's Central Command, which oversees wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Reuters)
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Posted by George Ittyarah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 16 April 2008 at 22:50 UAE time
Qatar's LNG deal with Israel, if confirmed, will be a clear example for many neighbouring countries to follow different types of multibillion $ deals with Israel. Opportunities will not knock at door always.
Posted by Bassem, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 16 April 2008 at 17:56 UAE time
Dear James Sharpe,
I can't thank you enough for your comment. I only hope that the journalists who are writing about our region, from our region, understood the problem a little better than that!
I think it's revolting to even think for a moment that any diginfied Arab wants "warm ties" with such a terrorist state.
Posted by Bassem, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 16 April 2008 at 16:26 UAE time
It's clear that this piece was written by a Westerner who does not understand the Arab world. A deal that could help warm ties between the Jewish state and the Arab world? Even the most liberal Arabs would tell you they could care less about warm ties, or any ties at all. All we want is peace and to be left alone ...
Posted by James Sharpe, London, UK on 16 April 2008 at 11:45 UAE time
It seems that Qatar is selling its soul for the all mighty dollar. Irrespective of weather it believes that Israel is an illegal entity or not, to support and do business with a nation that is focused on subjugation and humiliation of an occupied people is callous to say the least.
Even the west will be bemused at the stand Qatar is taking. How can a country who is primarily Arab and Mulsim not show any solidarity with its brothers and instead be quick and eager to do business with a known Human rights abuser.
I am disgusted and am not even an Arab.