In a joint ceremony with representatives of the Government of the state of Qatar, Dr Kim Howells, British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs officially inaugurated the British Embassy in West Bay on 29 March.

Assisted by their Excellencies Ambassador Mohammed Khater al Khater, Director Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Mohammed Al Jaber, Acting Director European & American Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Howells cut the ribbon to open the Embassy and led guests to a welcome reception.

Chargé d'Affaires and Head of Mission Roddy Drummond paid tribute to the hard work of all those involved in completing the two-year project. ‘I am delighted that Dr Howells has been able to open the Embassy in a joint ceremony with our Qatari friends. To mark the occasion the British and Qatari flags are today flying alongside one another over the Embassy.’

The flag was raised at the new building on 7 February, after being lowered for the last time at the old Embassy buildings in Rumeila, after 45 years flying above the site.

Find out more:

• View this special TV report about Dr Howells’s visit and the new Embassy building.
• See photos of the opening ceremony and the new building (including a map) and the history of the old Embassy buildings.
• See local press coverage of the opening ceremony:

The Gulf Times
The Peninsula
Al Arab
Al Sharq
Al Raya