Qatar's ruler says natural gas prices are too low and wants them to be linked to the price of crude oil.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani told a meeting of gas exporting nations in the Qatari capital that oil's rebound this year, after it collapsed last year from nearly $150 per barrel, has not been mirrored in the price of gas.

The emir, whose country sits atop the world's largest natural gas reserves, wants the 11-member state Gas Exporting Countries Forum to devise a mechanism linking gas and oil prices.

The group — dubbed by some the Gas OPEC — are expected to elect their first secretary-general Wednesday.

Gas prices have fallen as world stockpiles have surged amid weak demand stemming in part from the global economic crisis.