Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani keeps his posts as prime minister and foreign minister while the key energy, economy and interior portfolios also remain unchanged, according to a decree published by state news agency QNA.
The new ministries decreed by Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, ruler of the energy-rich Gulf state, were environment, social affairs, international cooperation and culture.
The health ministry which had been demoted to a government agency was reinstated and allocated to a woman member of the ruling family, Sheikha Ghalia bin Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani.
Sheikha Ghalia becomes the second woman in the government alongside Education Minister Sheikha bint Ahmad al-Mahmud.
Yussef Hussein Kamal retained his post as finance and economy minister but his position as commerce minister went to Sheikh Fahd bin Jassem bin Mohammed al-Thani.
Qatar last reshuffled the government in April 2007 when the emir appointed Sheikh Hamad as prime minister to replace Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, the ruler’s half-brother who resigned.
