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| Kuwait decide on Syria's leaders |
The Lebanese Daily Star reported that today the Kuwaiti government voted in favour of recognising the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian People. To a certain extent this is a symbolic gesture which will have little impact on the plight of the Syrian people in cities such as Homs. However, it does make official Kuwait’s decision to halt economic ties with Damascus, as now that Kuwait no longer recognises Asad’s regime as leading Syria, Kuwait is obliged by its own laws to break all ties with Asad. I would argue that Kuwait has been a little hasty in selecting the SNC as the official leaders of Syria. The SNC has not been voted in by the Syrian people, and consequently Kuwait has bypassed an essential step in the diplomatic process. It may well be that the SNC oust Asad from power permanently, but that is for Syria to decide...not Kuwait.
Construction Week Online (a new source for this blog!) reported that Qatar has been ranked as the world's wealthiest country in a new list compiled by US magazine Forbes. Qatar’s 1.7 million are the richest in the world, with an estimated GDP per capita of more than $88,000. Other Arabian Peninsula countries to make it onto the rich list are the UAE which was placed 6th (estimated GDP $47,439 per capita) and Kuwait which was placed 15th (estimated GDP of $38,775 per capita). Construction Week Online cite a “rebound in oil prices and its massive natural gas reserves” as the principle reason behind Qatar’s elevation to the top of the list. Allow me to adopt a mildly jocular tone at this point...This latest development, coupled with Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup in 2022, their bid for the 2020 Olympics, their global investment in sustainability projects and emphasis on investing for the future suggests more strongly than ever that Qatar is about to take over the world. Get ready readers, Doha will be your new capital city before you know it.
This is now becoming a standard agenda item on Today’s 4 but I have to provide an update on former Yemeni president Saleh’s latest retirement decisions. Yesterday I quoted a CNN article which said Saleh was off to Addis Ababa for now, but may relocate to Muscat should he feel so inclined. Today, CNN reported on the words of a Saleh spokesman who stated that Saleh is determined to see out his retirement in Yemen, and has no plans to move on. Unsurprisingly, this announcement has provoked a backlash from Yemeni citizens who have flocked to Saleh’s hometown to call for him to be arrested and/or to demand he leaves Yemen. Clearly some see him as a criminal while others see his presence in the country as an obstacle to progress. If I were you Saleh, I’d cut my losses and get out before some disgruntled countryman decides to take my fate into his own hands...Addis Ababa may not look quite so unattractive after all.
And finally...
The Middle East North Africa Financial Network reported that a German State Minister has become excited by the huge potential for green initiatives in Saudi Arabia. There is just one flaw to his plan...Saudi Arabia. So far the closed kingdom has shown little appetite for sustainable investing / investing for the future especially compared to the efforts of its neighbours from Qatar and the UAE. That said, I think the German minister is right highlight the potential sustainable energy opportunities in Saudi as this will add to international pressure on Saudi to take advantage of natural resources other than oil. One of the biggest resources is surely sunlight. I am no scientist, but there must be a way of utilising the circa 650,000 square kilometres which makes up Saudi’s empty quarter, especially as this areas receives almost 365 days a year of clear blue skies. I am doubtful, but wouldn’t it be great if the German State Minister’s efforts have stirred the interest of his Saudi counterpart?
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