Attack on Rohingya Muslims condemned

QATAR  |  OfficialAttack on Rohingya Muslims condemnedQatar yesterday condemned the violent attacks on the Rohingya Muslims in the state of Rakhine in Myanmar which has left dozens of people dead and thousands more displaced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s alarm regarding reports of violations and atrocities committed against the Rohingya. In a statement, the ministry said the government of Myanmar must remain committed to international law in terms of protecting civilians and achieving reconciliation.QATAR  |  ReactionQatar condemns attack in SamarraQatar yesterday condemned an attack that targeted a power station in Iraq’s Samarra, which left a number of people either dead or injured. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed Qatar’s firm position which rejects violence and terrorism regardless of the motives. In a statement, the ministry also expressed the condolences of Qatar to the families of the victims, the government and people of Iraq, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.REGION  |  Defence‘Priority to boost Iranmissile programme’Iran’s new defence minister said yesterday the priority was to boost the country’s missile programme and export weapons to shore up neighbouring allies. “In combat fields, especially in missiles, we have a specific plan to boost Iran’s missile power,” said General Amir Hatami, who was appointed defence minister earlier this month, in a speech carried by the ISNA news agency. “God willing, the combat capabilities of Iran’s ballistic and cruise missiles will increase in this term,” he added. Hatami also said Iran would look to export weapons “to prevent war and conflict”.EUROPE  |  ControversyTurkey defiant over arrested Germans Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu yesterday dismissed Berlin’s angry reaction to the arrest of German citizens in Turkey, local media reported, a row which is worsening the nations’ already fraying ties. “When we arrest (a coup plotter) Germany starts to get upset. But what are we supposed to do?” Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency. “This is also a Turkish citizen but it (Germany) asks why are you arresting my citizen?”AMERICA  |  DiplomacyUS announces newambassador picks US President Donald Trump has announced a series of ambassador nominations to key capitals, including Berlin and New Delhi, more than seven months after taking office. In a statement released late Friday, the White House announced Trump intends to nominate Richard Grenell to be ambassador of Germany, and Kenneth Juster to be ambassador to India. Grenell is a media commentator and the “longest serving United States spokesman at the United Nations (2001-2008) having served four United States ambassadors,” the White House said in a statement. Juster is an administration official who most recently served as the deputy assistant to the president for international economic affairs, and deputy director of the National Economic Council.\