Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani announced formation of his new government in a statement on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khaled al-Attiyah, was promoted to foreign minister.

Mohammed al-Sada retained the post of energy minister, a key position in the gas-rich emirate, the official QNA news agency reported.

The director of the influential Al-Jazeera television network, Ahmed Bin Jassim al-Thani, was appointed minister of economy and trade.

Sheikh Ahmed, a member of the ruling family, announced his resignation as Al-Jazeera head, a post he had held for two years, in a statement just minutes before the new cabinet was announced.

The new government was announced after the new emir came to power following his father's abdication on Tuesday.

In his first address to the nation, Sheikh Tamim said his country seeks ties with "all governments" and will not take sides, in a conciliatory speech that steered clear of the Syria crisis.

His father, teamed up with the influential former premier, has campaigned in support of the insurgents who are conducting a bloody war to topple the government in Syria.