Qatar has no plans to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Israel, Qatari Oil Minister Abdullah Al Attiyah said on Saturday.

"We are not discussing selling gas to Israel because we are sold out," he told reporters. Israel's Channel Two television reported on Tuesday that Attiyah had met Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and had discussed possible gas exports.

Attiyah confirmed that he had met Livni, who had been in Doha for a regional conference.

The minister also said Qatar was diverting LNG previously earmarked for the European and US markets to China because of more favourable returns

"It's a good price," Attiyah said. "Find me the highest price and I will do business. There is more demand in Asia today for LNG - it's long term."-Reuters