Qatar is still studying taking a stake in debt-laden German sports carmaker Porsche

, or other German auto companies, after Porsche scaled down a bid for Volkswagen , the prime minister said on Saturday.

This subject is under study, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani told Reuters when asked about the status of Qatar's interest in a stake in Porsche or other German carmakers.

From a legal point of view, I can't comment further.

German weekly magazine Focus reported earlier this month that the Emir of Qatar was a possible investor in the proposed merger between Porsche and Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen.

(Reporting by Dania Saadi; Editing by Sophie Hares)

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