Britain Raises Terror Funding Concerns with Qatar

Local Editor

Britain's David Cameron raised the issue of funding for extremist groups at a meeting with the emir of Qatar in London on Wednesday, the prime minister's office said.

Qatar is part of the US-led coalition against the "ISIL" group, but has been accused of allowing money to be funneled to "ISIL" terrorists.

In a meeting with Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Cameron welcomed a new law against terrorism funding and "looked forward to the swift implementation of these new measures", a statement said.

The law, passed in mid-September amid Western concerns over extremist funding, is aimed to prevent charities involved in politics using their status to send money to groups of concern.
"They discussed the role both countries are playing in the coalition to tackle "ISIL", and the importance of all countries working to tackle extremism and support to terrorist organizations," the prime minister's office said.

"They also agreed that both countries should do more to share information on groups of concern."
The prime minister was earlier pressed in parliament whether he considered Qatar "permissive jurisdiction for terrorist finance".

Cameron also raised the 2022 World Cup, and "offered to share the UK's expertise in the construction industry" in preparations for the event.

The awarding of the tournament to Qatar has been dogged by information of corruption and rights groups have criticized worker conditions and a high death rate in construction.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team