QNA/Bern
Qatar signed yesterday with Switzerland a bilateral co-operation agreement on the criminal and training matters.
The agreement was signed by Qatar’s Attorney General HE Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri and Swiss Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Pascale
Baeriswyl.
The agreement focuses on co-operation between the two countries in the field of criminal matters and information exchange and ways to implement requests for judicial co-operation in various criminal cases, in addition to the exchange of expertise and training in the field of public prosecution work, as well as identifying the judicial systems of Qatar and
Switzerland.
This co-operation comes within the framework of strengthening judicial, legal and criminal matters between the two friendly countries, especially in relation to fighting terrorism and its financing, as well as other issues of common concern.

Ministry holds Qur’an memorisation contest
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs concluded yesterday the tests of the memorisation of the Holy Qur’an for students of Quranic centres affiliated to the ministry.
The ministry said in a statement that the students who completed the memorisation of the Qur’an belong to 22 centres from across Qatar. “They were subjected to tests of conservation and proficiency by 12 committees.”
The Ministry of Awqaf pointed out that the outstanding level of students in this contest confirms the success of its plan to increase the capacity of students and develop the skills of conservers affiliated to the Quranic centres.
It said that the contest contribute to the development process and push students to increase the competition to memorise the Holy Qur’an accurately. (QNA)

Planning work executed in cities
The committee in charge of decorating roads and public areas, led by HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, has decided to carry out a number of planning works related to cities and major roads and sites in the country to add a touch of beauty to them - thereby reflecting the urban renaissance in the country.
The decoration works will cover several roads and old buildings in the centre of Doha as well as major cities.
The committee said it is following up on recent developments on pedestrian bridges in order to ensure that they are executed up to the standards and in a beautiful manner. It also aims to make sure that cycling lanes are provided with adequate measures to guarantee the safety of their users, while also assigning lanes for pedestrians and identify them in a modern way that reflects the development of Qatar in general and the city of Doha in particular.
The committee said it has paid special attention to several aspects such as adding cafes and studying the needs of crowded areas, the Corniche and beaches. (QNA)

Al-Hammadi meets UN official
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary-General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met yesterday with Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Somalia, Peter de Clercq, who is currently visiting Doha.
The meeting discussed the latest developments in Somalia, as well as issues of mutual concern. (    QNA)