QNA/Doha


Qatar’s embassies and diplomatic missions abroad continued celebrations to mark the country’s National Day, which falls on December 18 to commemorate the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani.
Qatar’s ambassador to Lebanon hosted a reception in the capital Beirut to celebrate the Day.
The ceremony was attended by Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Samir Moqbel, representing the Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, along with ministers, deputies, ambassadors of Arab and foreign countries accredited to Lebanon, as well as representatives from the field of politics, culture, art and media, religious figures and military personnel.
In a speech on the occasion, the ambassador extended heartfelt congratulations to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and to all citizens and residents of Qatar.
He underlined that the leadership of Qatar was keen on unlocking the human potential as the basis of the comprehensive development process in the State. Thus, Qatar has succeeded in making significant  achievements in economic, social, health and educational fields, based on Qatar National Vision 2030.
In Amman, Qatar’s ambassador to Jordan Bandar bin Mohamed Abdullah al-Attiyah hosted a reception, attended by Jordan’s Senate president Faisal al-Fayez, Speaker of the House of Representatives Atef Tarawneh, Interior Minister Salamah Hammad, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic and Sancitities Affairs Hayel Abdul-Hafeez, and several other high-ranking officials, dignitaries, leaderships, businessmen, representatives of regional and international organisations and heads and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Jordan.
In a speech on the occasion, the Qatari ambassador highlighted the important achievements of Qatar under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.  
In Vienna, Qatar’s ambassador to Austria Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, who is also the country’s permanent representative to the International Organisations in Vienna, held a ceremony to celebrate the National Day. Prominent Austrian politicians and the director-general of the Opec Fund for International Development Suleiman Harbash attended the event.
In Turkmenistan, Qatar’s ambassador Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Suwaidi held a ceremony that was attended by Minister of Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan Muhammetnur Halylov. He praised Turkmen-Qatari relations.   
In Mexico, Qatari ambassador Ahmed bin Abdullah also held a ceremony that was attended by a number of Ministers and diplomats.  
In Djibouti, ambassador Jassim bin Jaber Jassim Sorour held a ceremony that was attended by many ranking officials from Djibouti, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. Minister of Higher Education Nabil Mohamed Ahmed also attended along with Minister of Transport Ahmed Hassan.
In Brussels, Ambassador of Qatar to Belgium HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, who is also the head of Mission to the European Union, held a ceremony to celebrate Qatar National Day. A number of officials from Belgium, European Union and Nato attended the ceremony. Arab and foreign ambassadors as well as Qatari citizens in Belgium also attended the ceremony.  
In his speech, the ambassador congratulated HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and the Qatari people. The ambassador said that December 18th was the day that everyone reflects on the achievements of those who founded the State of Qatar led by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani.  
The ambassador added that celebrating National Day was crucial to Qatari youth as it helps maintain their link to the traditions of the country.
In Tokyo, Qatar’s ambassador Yousif Mohamed Bilal held a ceremony at Imperial Hotel, attended by Chairman of the General Council of Japan’s ruling council Toshihiro Nikaio, who is also the president of Japanese Parliamentary Association for Friendship with the State of Qatar and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Motoo Hayashi in addition to diplomats, businessmen, public figures and representatives of Japanese media.
In his speech,  the ambassador congratulated HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and the Qatari people. The ambassador praised the Qatari-Japanese relations which were established in 1972.
In Colombo, Qatar’s embassy held a ceremony which was attended by the Sri Lankan Minister of Urban Planning and Water Supply Rauf Hakeem and a number of Sri Lankan ministers and officials.