""On Qatar, the Sultan explained that Sheikh Hamad held a grudge against Egypt
for allegedly trying to return his father to the Qatari throne following his
ouster in the mid-nineties. The Sultan thought it
unlikely that this had actually occurred; nevertheless, the suspicion was evident. Moreover, postulated the Sultan, the Qataris believe that Hosni Mubarak "has very little time left" and upon his departure, the
Muslin Brotherhood will step in. Qatar wishes to align itself now with the next likely power-maker in Egypt. Again, the Sultan expressed his disagreement with the Qataris' contention. However, he argued that Doha has very skillfully used Al Jazeera, "Qatar's army," to attack Egypt and Saudi Arabia and has effectively succeeded in diminishing the stature of both throughout the Arab world and concomitantly
raising that of Qatar. Qaboos expressed grudging admiration for Qatar's use of Al Jazeera; "they've been brilliant in using Al Jazeera as a weapon against Egypt and Saudi Arabia and a very effective tool
for their own policies.""
unlikely that this had actually occurred; nevertheless, the suspicion was evident. Moreover, postulated the Sultan, the Qataris believe that Hosni Mubarak "has very little time left" and upon his departure, the
Muslin Brotherhood will step in. Qatar wishes to align itself now with the next likely power-maker in Egypt. Again, the Sultan expressed his disagreement with the Qataris' contention. However, he argued that Doha has very skillfully used Al Jazeera, "Qatar's army," to attack Egypt and Saudi Arabia and has effectively succeeded in diminishing the stature of both throughout the Arab world and concomitantly
raising that of Qatar. Qaboos expressed grudging admiration for Qatar's use of Al Jazeera; "they've been brilliant in using Al Jazeera as a weapon against Egypt and Saudi Arabia and a very effective tool
for their own policies.""
