Qatar inks Interpol deal for World Cup security

The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee on Tuesday said it has signed an agreement with Interpol, the world's largest international police organisation, to set up security arrangement for the World Cup tournament.

The deal will see the creation of the Interpol Group of Major Event Security Experts to offer assistance and consultation to the organisers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Janet Williams, the former deputy assistant commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police Service, who oversaw policing protective security planning for the 2012 London Olympic Games, will chair the new group, a statement said.

Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani, minister for internal affairs, said: "We recognise that hosting the FIFA World Cup will entail a wide variety of challenges.

"By working with Interpol and its network of 190 member countries, the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee will be able to draw on a pool of expertise from around the world on how best to host a successful and safe tournament while adhering to the highest international standards."

The group's scope of work will also extend to providing advice, guidance and robust training to Qatar's Ministry of Interior in preparing for the security for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in addition to developing strategic partnerships with international and national partners to help promote security and ensure compliance with major event security standards and best practices.

Interpol secretary general Ronald K Noble said: "The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has shown great leadership in the area of security for its country, its people and the millions of football fans who will visit the region during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and we are delighted that they share Interpol's vision for a safer world."

Interpol's group of experts and its General Secretariat will work closely with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, the Ministry of the Interior and the National Central Bureau in Doha during the next 10 years.