DOHA // Qatar's ruler said yesterday that elections for an advisory council would be held in the second half of 2013.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was quoted by state media as saying the elections were necessary to build a modern nation. The polls will be the country's first legislative elections.
"From the podium of this council, I declare that we have decided that the advisory council elections would be held in the second half of 2013," the emir said.
"We know that all these steps are necessary to build the modern state of Qatar and the Qatari citizen who is capable of dealing with the challenges of the time and building the country.
"We are confident that you would be capable of shouldering the responsibility."
He did not say if the council, which has no legislative powers, would be given more weight.
Qatar has been a major supporter of the Arab Spring uprisings, backing Libyan rebels who brought down Muammar Qaddafi and joining the Nato-led operation. Qatar is viewed as one of the countries least vulnerable to the regional unrest, with natural gas allowing its population of about 350,000 nationals to enjoy the world's highest per capita income.
"Qatar played a major role supporting democracy in countries like Libya, so this decision helps build the narrative of Qatar as a pro-democracy force," said Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brookings Doha Center.
"One criticism was that it wasn't meeting expectations on domestic reform. That is now addressed as it makes greater representation for citizens at home.
"The world is turning its eyes towards Qatar, so Qatar has to be concerned about how others are seeing it."
