Officials said after years of banning political activity, Qatar has
decided to allow occasional political protests in the Gulf Cooperation
Council state. They said these demonstrations could quickly turn into
threats against Americans in the emirate, Middle East Newsline reported.
Qatar is a major U.S. military outpost. The presence includes the
U.S. Air Force in the Al Udeid air force base and the U.S. Army in
A-Sayliyah. Central Command also maintains its air operations center in the
emirate.
"There are many elements that want to exploit any opportunity to attack
the U.S. presence in Qatar," an official said.
On March 28, hundreds of people protested against Israel as well as the
U.S. military
presence in Iraq. Many of the demonstrators consisted of Iraqis and
Palestinians.
No violence was reported. The protesters were addressed by Sheik Yusef
Qaradawi, one of the most popular Sunni preachers in the Arab world.
On the eve of the protest, the U.S. embassy in Doha urged Americans to
keep away from the demonstration. In a warden message on March 28, the
embassy outlined the route of the march.
"While police are controlling the demonstration and do not anticipate
any violence, the U.S. embassy urges Americans to avoid the Corniche, Al
Bida Park, and the surrounding areas before, during and immediately after
the demonstration," the warden message said.
