HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani held a telephone conversation yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
They discussed the latest developments in Syria and ways of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister met the Russian President’s Special Representative for the Middle East and North Africa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Amman yesterday.
Talks during the meeting dealt with the important developments in Syria and ways of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
On Tuesday, the Foreign Minister met Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and means of developing them in addition to issues of mutual interest.
Qatar condemns terrorist plot in Bahrain
Qatar expressed its strong condemnation of the terrorist plot that targeted prominent figures in Bahrain. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry expressed its solidarity with Bahrain and support for the measures it takes to preserve its security and stability. The statement reiterated Qatar’s rejection of violence.
Qatar’s envoy to Spain presents credentials
King Felipe VI of Spain yesterday received the credentials of Qatar’s ambassador Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari. The ambassador conveyed HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s greetings to Spain’s king and wishes of progress and prosperity to the government and people of Spain. The Spanish king reciprocated the greetings of the Emir, and wished progress, development and prosperity to Qatar.
The king also wished the ambassador success in carrying out his duties.
Al-Marri holds talks in Geneva
HE the Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri, who is also UN Special Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption, met the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Michael Moller in Geneva yesterday. The Attorney General briefed on his activities as UN Special Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption and explored prospects for joint action.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office at Geneva Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri.
Arab audit bodies’ meeting ends
The 55th executive council meeting of the Arab Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ARABOSAI) came to a close yesterday. The two-day meeting was hosted by the State Audit Bureau of Qatar,
HE the President of State Audit Bureau of Qatar and second deputy president for the executive council of ARABOSAI Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani stressed during the meeting the importance of strengthening the governance of the higher Arab authorities for financial supervision and auditing, and working on ensuring independent and effective public sector supervision, in addition to building the institutional capacity of these bodies to improve their role in the development in the Arab countries.
He pointed out that the meeting came out with several recommendations to enhance co-operation between the different Arab supervision bodies.
On the sidelines of the meeting, a memorandum of understanding between Arab Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions and the African Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) was signed.
Mercedes-Benz recalls 2016 model
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, has announced the recall of Mercedes-Benz S Class 2016 model because the stud at the linkage of the trunk partition may not correspond to factory specification.
The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
The MEC will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
The MEC has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels: Hotline: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar
DFI to present films at Hotel Park
In celebration of Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF), Doha Film Institute (DFI) has curated an eclectic selection of films for the community to enjoy. DFI will present family-friendly films daily at 7pm from today to April 7 at the Hotel Park by The Sheraton Grand Hotel Doha. The open-air, free screenings includes two feature films, the Made in Qatar Short Film Programme and the International Short Film Programme.
Fatma al-Remaihi, CEO, DFI, said the programme of 13 films shines the spotlight on emerging national talent and introduces visitors and the local audiences to films that will appeal to people of all ages.
Screenings of the crowd-sourced film initiative by DFI and Qatar Tourism Authority, Dari Qatar by Ahmad al-Sharif (Qatar / 2016) will take place on April 1 and 4, and Oscar winning Kiki’s Delivery Service feature film by Hayao Miyazaki (Japan / 1989) tomorrow and April 6.
The Made in Qatar Short Film Programme on April 2 and 7 includes screenings of The Palm Tree (Qatar / 2015) by Jassim al-Rumaihi ; Makh’bz (Qatar / 2015) by Aisha al-Muhannadi; Rain (Qatar / 2012) by Rahab Elewaly ; Shishbarak (Qatar / 2016) by Bayan Dahdah and the popular animation Hero and the Message (Qatar / 2016) by Pawel Borowski.
Ministry releases new bus map
The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has released a revamped bus map - that will not only help residents to see all information about current bus services but also improve their interaction with other future public transit services planned for Qatar.
The revamped map is one of the several initiatives defined in the Qatar Public Transport Program (QPTP) that is currently being implemented. The new map can be easily accessed through various channels including the Ministry’s website www.motc.gov.qa and Mowasalat’s. The map will also be available at bus stations, bus stop shelters and onboard the buses in order to help passengers get around Qatar smoothly.
This map is one of multiple initiatives being carried out to revolutionise how public transport is perceived across Qatar. Great steps have been taken in the process of improving Qatar’s public transit services with the number of public buses reaching 250 in 2016, covering 51 routes, in addition to allocating some 17 areas of land for developing bus-related facilities.
More information on public bus services may be had by calling 44588888.
1,091 cases of exhaust tinkering: Traffic Dept
The Traffic Department spotted 20,410 violations during an inspection campaign across Qatar since January 26 this year, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported. These included 1,091 unauthorised modification of vehicles’ exhaust sound, 2,068 cases of illegal tinting of windows, 533 violations for unauthorised use of parking lots designated for the handicapped, and 786 cases of vehicles without rear plate numbers.There were 40 seat belt violations, 26 cases of using mobile phones while driving, 240 of stunt driving, 123 headlights and rear lights defects, 63 reckless driving, 23 cases of fleeing a traffic patrol, 55 incidents of racing on public roads, 39 cases of modification of the original colour of vehicles, 26 cases of jumping the red light, and 1,390 unauthorised overtaking from the right, in addition to various other issues.
