His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday afternoon consented to receive in audience His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, who was in the country for a one-day State Visit.

To welcome the arrival of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar for the State Visit to the Sultanate, an official welcoming ceremony was held at the Istana Nurul Iman where upon arrival, His Majesty greeted His Highness.

His Majesty together with His Highness went up the royal dais for the royal salute, which was followed by the playing of national anthems of both countries and a 21-gun salute.

The two leaders inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Land Force.

His Highness was introduced to members of the royal family, state dignitaries, Cabinet Ministers, deputy ministers, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force, foreign envoys in the Sultanate as well as permanent secretaries at the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

His Majesty in return was introduced to members of the delegation of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Later, an audience ceremony was held at the Cheradi Laila Kenchana.

Also present at the audience were His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah; HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik; HRH Princess Hjh Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other members of the royal family.

Also attending the audience ceremony were Yousef Hussain Kamal, Minister of Economy and Finance; Dr Khaled bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifah Al-Thani, the Chief of Amiri Diwan; and Mr Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Abdullah, Charge d' Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Brunei Darussalam.

After the audience ceremony, His Majesty and His Highness proceeded to the Cheradi Ratna Kenchana for a four-eye meeting.

The Emir of the State of Qatar and delegation arrived in Brunei Darussalam yesterday afternoon.

His Highness was greeted on arrival at the Brunei International Airport by His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. Also present was Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office, as the Minister-in-Attendance.

His Highness was ushered in a motorcade to the Istana Nurul Iman. Some 3,800 students lined-up along the main road towards the main entrance of the Istana Nurul Iman waving flags of both countries to welcome the State Visit of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar.

His Majesty last evening hosted a banquet in honour of the State Visit of His Highness Emir of the State of Qatar.

Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as other members of the royal family. - Borneo Bulletin (18th January 2012)