The Gulf state of Qatar, designated as the venue for a WTO trade ministers meeting at the end of 2001, has pulled out of holding the event, diplomatic sources said.
The sources said the reason behind the pullout was the lack of hotel space and because the meeting - usually held in November - was likely to coincide with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Qatar's withdrawal means that the World Trade Organization (WTO) does not currently have a venue for the meeting, which is held every two years.
Because of violent anti-globalization demonstrations which marked the WTO ministerial meeting in Seattle at the end of 1999, few countries are now eager to host the event - (AFP, Seoul)
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