The regular Cabinet meeting, chaired by HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, on Wednesday denounced the Syrian regime's continued attack in Eastern Ghouta, in clear violation of UN Security Council resolution No 2401 issued last Saturday unanimously.
The resolution calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria for 30 days, to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of the sick and injured.
Giving details of the meeting, HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi said the cabinet called on the global community to stop the humanitarian crisis and to face the Syrian regime's challenge of the international laws and resolutions.
The council said that the failure to commit to the UN Security Council resolution will lead to further bloodshed of innocent Syrians.
The cabinet also expressed its regret at the announcement of the United States' intention to move its embassy to occupied Al Quds (Jerusalem) in mid-May. The cabinet stressed its rejection of the move, saying it was contradictory to international law and UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions related to the Palestinian issue. It said that such a move will also heighten tension in the region and become an obstacle to the already difficult peace talks. This will in turn prevent any fair and comprehensive resolution that acknowledges the rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with East Al Quds as its capital.
The cabinet expressed its hope that the United States will reverse its decision.
Later, the cabinet discussed some of the subjects on its agenda.
It first approved a draft law regulating railways.
The law aims to regulate the establishment and operation of railways in the country, in terms of safety requirements and the provision of operation permits.
The provisions of the law says that the Ministry of Transport and Communications will have a number of powers in that regard.
Firstly, it will plan and regulate the building and operation of railway networks in the country.
Secondly, it will ensure that permits are issued after satisfying all the technical and safety conditions.
It will also issue the necessary permits for building the infrastructure and any work related to maintenance of the railways.
Lastly, the ministry will adopt the technical requirements for the railway network systems and its infrastructure.
The draft law also stated the responsibilities of Qatar Rail, the authority related to safety in the ministry. It also discussed the types of permits issued and the requirements for them.
The cabinet approved the following:
1. A draft decree licensing Qatar Fuel (Woqood) the use of the land around Hamad International Airport to build a gas station.
2. A draft decision to amend the organisation of some of the administrative units comprising the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the appointment of its competences.
3. A draft decision of the Minister of Economy and Commerce to amend certain provisions of Decree No 134 of 2017 on establishing sections in the administrative units comprising the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the appointment of its competences.
4. A draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar and the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman to co-operate in the fields of sciences and higher education.
5. A draft MoU between the governments of Qatar and Rwanda to co-operate in the cultural field.
6. A draft MoU between the governments of Qatar and Rwanda to co-operate in the sports field.
7. A draft fourth executive programme for the media agreement between the governments of Qatar and Morocco for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.
8. The cabinet approved joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner. The SCO is an intergovernmental, political, economic and security organisation.
One of aims of the organisation is promoting mutual trust and good neighbourliness among member states. It also aims to promote effective cooperation in the fields of politics, trade, economy, technology research, culture, education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection and other fields.
The cabinet reviewed a report on the work of National Civil Aviation Security Committee from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, and took the necessary measures.
The cabinet praised the work of the committee and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and its efforts in the field of civil aviation security, according to the information in the report.
Giving details of the meeting, HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi said the cabinet called on the global community to stop the humanitarian crisis and to face the Syrian regime's challenge of the international laws and resolutions.
The council said that the failure to commit to the UN Security Council resolution will lead to further bloodshed of innocent Syrians.
The cabinet also expressed its regret at the announcement of the United States' intention to move its embassy to occupied Al Quds (Jerusalem) in mid-May. The cabinet stressed its rejection of the move, saying it was contradictory to international law and UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions related to the Palestinian issue. It said that such a move will also heighten tension in the region and become an obstacle to the already difficult peace talks. This will in turn prevent any fair and comprehensive resolution that acknowledges the rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with East Al Quds as its capital.
The cabinet expressed its hope that the United States will reverse its decision.
Later, the cabinet discussed some of the subjects on its agenda.
It first approved a draft law regulating railways.
The law aims to regulate the establishment and operation of railways in the country, in terms of safety requirements and the provision of operation permits.
The provisions of the law says that the Ministry of Transport and Communications will have a number of powers in that regard.
Firstly, it will plan and regulate the building and operation of railway networks in the country.
Secondly, it will ensure that permits are issued after satisfying all the technical and safety conditions.
It will also issue the necessary permits for building the infrastructure and any work related to maintenance of the railways.
Lastly, the ministry will adopt the technical requirements for the railway network systems and its infrastructure.
The draft law also stated the responsibilities of Qatar Rail, the authority related to safety in the ministry. It also discussed the types of permits issued and the requirements for them.
The cabinet approved the following:
1. A draft decree licensing Qatar Fuel (Woqood) the use of the land around Hamad International Airport to build a gas station.
2. A draft decision to amend the organisation of some of the administrative units comprising the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the appointment of its competences.
3. A draft decision of the Minister of Economy and Commerce to amend certain provisions of Decree No 134 of 2017 on establishing sections in the administrative units comprising the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the appointment of its competences.
4. A draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar and the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman to co-operate in the fields of sciences and higher education.
5. A draft MoU between the governments of Qatar and Rwanda to co-operate in the cultural field.
6. A draft MoU between the governments of Qatar and Rwanda to co-operate in the sports field.
7. A draft fourth executive programme for the media agreement between the governments of Qatar and Morocco for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.
8. The cabinet approved joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner. The SCO is an intergovernmental, political, economic and security organisation.
One of aims of the organisation is promoting mutual trust and good neighbourliness among member states. It also aims to promote effective cooperation in the fields of politics, trade, economy, technology research, culture, education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection and other fields.
The cabinet reviewed a report on the work of National Civil Aviation Security Committee from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, and took the necessary measures.
The cabinet praised the work of the committee and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and its efforts in the field of civil aviation security, according to the information in the report.