Qatar

Washington, Nov 22 (PTI) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has met negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha, amidst signs of progress in their stalled talks and an uptick in violence that threatens to jeopardise the peace push in the war-torn country.

This was the first meeting of the top American diplomat with the Taliban and the Afghans representatives after the US' recent announcement that it will reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 each by January 15 next year.

17 Nov 2020; MEMO: Qatar's foreign minister said on Monday Arab states that establish ties with Israel undermine efforts for Palestinian statehood, but it was in their own sovereign right to do so, Reuters reports.

Three Arab countries – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan – set aside hostilities with Israel in recent months to agree to formal relations in deals brokered by US President Donald Trump's administration.

DOHA, Nov 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Qatar’s ruler said that a long delayed vote for the country’s policy reviewing chamber will be held in October 2021, marking the Gulf emirate’s first national election.

The currently un-elected Shura Council advises the absolute ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on draft laws but does not create its own legislation and can be overruled by a simple decree.

October’s vote would be Qatar’s first national election although Sheikh Tamim did not give details on who would be permitted to vote or who would be able to stand.

DOHA, Oct 23 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Qatar expressed Thursday its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack that took place in Zamfara state in northern Nigeria which led to number of deaths, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed in a statement stating Qatar’s firm position of rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts regardless of the motives and reasons.

It also expresssed Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and the people of Nigeria.

16 Oct 2020; MEMO: The UK and Qatar have announced the signing of a preliminary military agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of defence.

This came in a statement issued by the UK Ministry of Defence on Wednesday.

12 Oct 2020; MEMO: Israel and Qatar have been discussing the transfer of $100 million to the besieged Gaza Strip in return for a six-month ceasefire deal between Hamas and the occupation, Israeli media reported.

29 Sep 2020; MEMO: Iranian and Qatari energy ministers yesterday discussed connecting the two countries’ electricity networks via a submarine cable.

In a virtual meeting, the Qatari minister, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, said that the project was “possible”, adding that a “proposal should be worked on”.

“In my opinion, this idea is practical and it is possible to implement it,” Al-Kaabi added.

26 Sep 2020; MEMO: The State of Qatar refused to assume the presidency of the 154th regular session of the Arab League at the ministerial level instead of Palestine, which has recently resigned from the position.

Qatar announced in a statement on Thursday evening: “We apologise for completing the aforementioned session, which the State of Palestine abandoned, while adhering to the right of the State of Qatar to the next presidency of the 155th session of March 2021.”

23 Sep 2020; MEMO: Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani affirmed that his country will continue to support efforts to achieve justice and hold the perpetrators of atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria accountable.

“We will continue to provide all aspects of support and assistance to the brotherly Syrian people,” he vowed during a speech at the opening of the 75th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Tuesday.

16 Sep 2020; MEMO: Qatar has completely rejected normalising ties with Israel, stressing that this is not the core of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.

Speaking to Bloomberg on Monday, spokesperson of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater said: “We don’t think that normalization was the core of this conflict and hence it can’t be the answer.”