QNA/Doha

Qatar has remained Sudan’s biggest supporter on many issues, especially Darfur, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has stressed.
In an interview with Al Watan newspaper published yesterday, he said that the Qatari leadership, led by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, provided for Sudan every possible support in very complex circumstances.
He added that what distinguishes the Sudanese-Qatari relations is Qatar’s stance on the Darfur issue and the effort made by Doha where it hosted the talks that lasted  three years.
He also underlined the Qatari investments in Sudan and said that the last meeting between the Emir and Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir reflected good ties between the two countries.
Regarding the tension with South Sudan, the Minister said his country is somewhat optimistic on the issue, adding that Sudan is looking forward to opening a new page in its ties with the South.
He indicated that Sudan’s leadership accepted the separation, but are looking forward to strong and special relations.
About Sudan’s foreign policy, the Sudanese Foreign Minister said they give priority to southern Sudan and therefore one of the most important understandings is that there will be no shelter for any armed movements in accordance with peace agreement in the South.
Ibrahim Ghandour stressed Sudan’s firm stance on the issue of Yemen, saying his country’s views reflect those of all Arab leaderships and governments.
And on Sudan’s position towards the Syrian crisis, Minister Ghandour said that his country’s position will remain the same as a political solution is the best for the Syrian crisis and that a military solution will prolong it.

Emir appoints ambassador to Cyprus
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued Emiri Decision No.
29 of 2016, appointing Sultan Ibrahim Youssef Ibrahim al-Mahmoud as ambassador to Cyprus.

Advisory Council observer meets US Congress member
HE the Advisory Council Observer Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Sulaiti yesterday met  the member of the US Congress Andre Carson, currently visiting Doha.
During the meeting, they discussed the parliamentary relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them.
HE the Secretary General of the Advisory Council Fahad bin Mubarak al-Khayareen attended the meeting.

Qatari leaders condole with Turkish president
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, offering their condolences on the victims of Tuesday night’s terrorist bombings at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.
The Emir expressed his strong condemnation and denunciation of the brutal attack, which left a number of innocent people killed and injured, stressing Qatar’s solidarity with Turkey, and support for all its efforts to protect its security and stability in the face of terrorism and extremism.

Qatar Museums Board of Trustees revamped
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued  Emiri Decision No 26 of 2016 reforming the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums.

Law to combat smuggling of petro products
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued Law No 6 of 2016 on combating the smuggling of petroleum products and the illicit transaction in them.

Emir approves Cabinet decisions
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani approved the following cabinet decisions yesterday:
1. No 22 of 2016 of the executive regulations of the tenders and auctions Law No 24 of 2015.
2. No 23 of 2016 establishing and forming the technical committee to stimulate the participation of the private sector in economic development projects.
3. No 24 of 2016 which exempts a number of goods from Law No 8 of 2002 which regulates the work of commercial agents.

Emir issues two decrees
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued the following two decrees:
1. Decree No 32 of 2016 ratifying an agreement between the governments of Qatar and Kyrgyz Republic which exempts holders of diplomatic passports from both countries from visas. The agreement was signed in Doha on December 8 of 2014 and shall bear the power of law in accordance with Article 68 of the constitution.
2. Decree No 33 of 2016 ratifying a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Youth of Sports of Qatar and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of South Korea.
The MoU was signed on November 5 of 2014 and shall have the power of law in accordance with Article 68 of the constitution.

Instruments of ratification
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued the following instruments of ratification:
1. Approving a draft agreement for co-operation and exchange of news between Qatar News Agency and Mexican News Agency of Mexico, signed in Doha on 21/1/2016.
2. Approving a draft memorandum of understanding in the fields of physical culture and sport between the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Qatar and the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports of Mexico, signed in Doha on 21/1/2016.

Emiri decision
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued Emiri decision No 27 of 2016 with the organisational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The decision states that the structure of the ministry’s authorities follows the chart attached to the decision.

Ministry closes six beauty salons
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has closed six beauty salons, located in Al Waab, Duhail, Salwa Road, Al Kheesa and Al Mirqab Al Jadeed, for periods ranging from one to two weeks for using expired haircare products.
The inspectors also fined the salons.
The action was in line with article 7 of law No 8 of 2008. The law compels suppliers to clearly display on the product’s package the nature of the item and other relevant data while prohibiting the display of fraudulent descriptions, advertisements and misleading statements.