Al Sharq Editor-in-Chief Jaber Al Harmi resigns from his post

In a shock development, the Editor-in-Chief Al Sharq Jaber Al Harmi submitted his resignation from the top post on Sunday night. Al Sharq is also the parent company of The Peninsula newspaper.

Al Harmi, who has been in the position since 2008, cited ‘personal reasons’ as the cause of resignation.

However, Gulf News reported that a tweet Al Harmi had made earlier could have led to him choosing the way out.

The tweet, which was related to the increase of state employees’ salaries in Qatar, caused a storm in Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, where austerity measures is in place.

“Jaber Al Harmi has presented his resignation as Editor-in-Chief of Al Sharq to Shaikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, the chairman of Al Sharq board, after 12 years with the newspaper as a Deputy Editor-in-Chief and then as Editor-in-Chief since 2008,” the daily said.

The offending tweet, in Arabic, had welcomed HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s decision to increase salaries of public sector employees.

“Some countries have reduced the salaries of their citizens, while Qatar announced an increase in the salaries of its citizens. This is first and foremost a grace and a blessing from God. The leadership has consecrated the wealth of the country to its citizens,” Al Harmi had tweeted.

On social media, especially among Saudi Arabian bloggers, it was seen as scorning the recent austerity measures that saw salaries of public sector employees and ministers decreasing.