QNA/Doha

 

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has expressed his surprise at the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon’s statement in which he blamed the Palestinian resistance for the violation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The secretary general’s statement, at the same time, said that the United Nations couldn’t independently verify what exactly happened. The Emir also told Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that the United Nations should have established the facts before making a statement.

This came during the Emir’s phone conversation with the UN chief on Saturday.

 They reviewed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories in light of the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip as well as efforts to stop it and provide protection for Palestinian civilians.

The Emir also expressed his regret and surprise at the international organisation’s silence over Israeli action of targeting Palestinian civilians, killing them and demolishing their homes.

The Emir called on the UN secretary general to take a clear stance on the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people, and urge all the parties concerned to open the crossings so that humanitarian relief could enter the Strip.

 

Mowasalat beefs up
airport taxi service

 

The Mowasalat transport company has increased the number of limousines and ordinary taxis at the Hamad International Airport (HIA) to meet the rush of families and residents returning to Qatar after the end of the Eid holidays.

According to a report in the local Arabic daily Al Sharq, the public transport operator has recently modernised the limousine fleet serving the international airport. They have added  2015 model vehicles to the fleet which offers luxurious and comfortable services.

“This quantum leap in the transport service includes the modernisation of  the operational systems of the vehicles and development of the electronic system in the meters in order to tighten the monitoring of vehicles during their movement.”

Earlier reports said Mowasalat has installed tamper-proof meters to ensure that drivers did  not overcharge customers.

 There have been complaints of rash driving and charging passengers above the normal rates from several people who have availed the service recently.

The operator has also made available taxis at  places like malls, exhibition halls, hotels, parks, markets and places of tourist importance.

There is also  higher demand for bus services that mainly are operated from the Al Ghanim station which is the oldest and main mass transportation centre in the country.

More  than 200 buses are operated on a daily basis from the station from where more than 2mn passengers were transported last year, Al Sharq said.

 

Mall Eid festivities conclude

 

A number of Eid al-Fitr festivities in malls organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority ended yesterday. The Qatar Summer Festival starts today and will run for seven weeks. From Left: A scene from Beauty and the Beast. The Beauty and the Beast cast saying goodbye to the audience during their final performance at The Mall. A show which enthralled many children. PICTURES: Najeer Feroke

 

 

 

Minister attends  inauguration of
Mauritania leader

 

HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti  has represented Qatar at the inauguration of the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz which was held on Saturday in Nouakchott.

The Minister conveyed HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s congratulations to the Mauritanian president, as well as his wishes of progress and prosperity to relations between Qatar and Mauritania.

The Mauritanian president reciprocated the Emir’s greetings and wishes.

Qatar’s Ambassador to Mauritania Abdulrahman bin Ali al-Ajaj al-Kubaisi also attended the inauguration ceremony.