Qatar replaces Oman as host of next Gulf summit

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

MUSCAT (AFP) — The annual summit of oil-rich Gulf Arab states will be held in Qatar in early December, not in Oman as previously planned, the secretary general of the pro-Western Gulf Cooperation Council said on Monday.

Qatar and its Gulf partners have agreed to a request by Oman that the GCC summit take place in Doha, on the understanding that Muscat will host the 2008 gathering, Abdulrahman al-Attiyah told AFP by telephone.

He did not say why, but sources close to the Omani government said Muscat had asked for the change because it is rebuilding infrastructure and facilities damaged by a June cyclone.

Oman has said the damage caused by Cyclone Gonu could rise to 3.9 billion dollars.

At least 49 people were killed when Gonu hit the coast of Oman...