www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS | 25 SPORT | 34 Banks will play critical New Zealand role in investment stun India as spin spending: QNB Group CEO gamble pays off WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2016 • 7 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6737 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Emir meets Eritrean President Emir holds phone Qatar’s stadiums call with Djibouti President DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim to function bin Hamad Al Thani held a tele- phone call with President of the Republic of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh. They discussed bilateral relations and ways of developing as social hubs them, in addition to a number of issues of common concern. its facilities accessible. We have upgraded Khalifa Stadium by pro- UN chief asks Khalifa Stadium viding more seats for the disabled, upgraded with and ensuring they have a good view Israel to reverse to be able to watch the matches more seats for just like any ordinary person,” he land seizure the disabled. explained. Al Kuwari stressed it is their aim UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary- to change people’s perception of stadi- General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel ums from a place solely for sports events yesterday to reverse its confisca- By Raynald C Rivera to a centre for social events and activities. tion of land in the Palestinian West The Peninsula “What we are aiming for is to bring the Bank, describing the decision as whole country in the stadiums. For “an impediment to the two-state example, the stadiums in Al Wakrah, solution” in the Middle East. The Al Rayyan, Lusail and Al Khor will be appeal came after Israel declared DOHA: Stadiums in Qatar will be used not only for sport matches, tour- 234 hectares of West Bank ter- accessible to the disabled and will naments or any other sport events. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki at the Emiri ritory to be state land, fueling function as a social hub as well, says They will also be used for any social Diwan yesterday. They reviewed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region. concerns of a new spike in ten- a senior Qatari official. event so that families will be able to sions with the Palestinians. “We want to make sure that the go to the stadiums to engage in many stadiums will leave a lasting legacy to activities,” he said. be used by all people in Qatar regard- After World Cup 2022, the upper less of age, race, ability or gender. As tier of the Al Wakrah Stadium will 41 civilians dead a committee in charge of the design reduce the seating capacity from and construction of the stadiums, we 40,000 to 20,000 seats, he said, add- ‘Mini school’ to ensure safe driving in Yemen air raid have to think about the accessibility of ing the surrounding area will have our stadiums,” said Ghanim Al Kuwari, other features such as a community Competition Venues Executive Direc- market, a wedding hall and multi- ADEN: At least 41 Yemeni civilians tor at the Supreme Committee for purpose indoor arena where people By Sidi Mohamed The mini-driving school has been technology and utilise it for traffic were killed when Saudi-led coali- Delivery and Legacy (SC). can gather turning it into a social hub The Peninsula set up by Dalla, a driving academy in safety. For example, we are showing tion warplanes hit a market in the Accessibility is already being accessible to everyone. Doha, at Darb Al Saai where the GCC to visitors some hypothetical acci- rebel-held northern Hajja prov- implemented in the design of the “In coordination with the Com- Traffic Week is being held. dents as if they are real and caused ince. An official at a hospital run stadiums, said Al Kuwari, while munications Department and through Salem Aqueel, Training and Devel- due to some traffic safety rule by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) addressing a press conference on community engagement we have DOHA: The aim of free practical tips opment Manager at Dalla Driving violations such as high speed or over- said the facility had received the the ‘Unlimited Doha Design Prize’ gathered all the necessary informa- in driving being offered by a mini- Academy, said: “We are offering free taking, so they would not forget such bodies of 41 people killed in the yesterday at La Cigale Hotel. tion to finalise the design and give it driving school set up at the venue of practical tips in driving for three to five accidents and would try to avoid such raids, along with 35 people who “For example, Khalifa Stadium, to the main contractors,” he said. It is the ongoing 32nd GCC Traffic Week minutes to every visitor and our aim is violations while driving”, he said. were wounded. which is already an existing sta- already being implemented in Al Khor is to help people avoid serious acci- to ensure a ‘safe motorist’ on the road”. dium, has been enhanced to make and Al Wakrah stadiums. dents, an official said. “We want to benefit from → Continued on page 6 → See also page 10 HOME WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2016 03 Qatar stresses need to stand against plans to divide Syria Emir issues ratification instruments QNA Commission of Inquiry on the Syr- The Syrian regime has been pur- regime and its allies to the cessation DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued ian Arab Republic. suing policies and means to scuttle of hostilities agreed upon recently instruments of ratification, approving draft agreements on air trans- He condemned Syrian authorities’ political talks since 2012, he said, and violations targeting the moderate port and cooperation in the cultural and arts fields between Qatar and refusal to allow the commission to adding the policies include military Syrian opposition show the regime’s Kuwait, signed in Doha in January; instruments of ratification, approv- DOHA: Qatar has reiterated the enter the Syrian territories to imple- escalation, continued destruction of determination to torpedo the United ing a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in need to stand against plans to divide ment its mandate. “This interactive cities, bombing of civilians and the Nations’ efforts to reach a political energy and industry between the Ministry of Energy and Industry and and fragment Syria, stressing that dialogue coincides with the launch of displaced, continued imposition of settlement, Al Henzab said. Mexican Ministry of Energy and a draft agreement for cooperation in maintaining the unity of the Syrian a new round of political talks between the blockade, starvation policy, hin- He expressed concern over what education between both countries, signed in Doha in January; and an territory is one of the fixed principles the Syrian parties we hope will lead to dering the delivery of relief aid and was stated in Part V of the report on instrument of ratification, approving a draft MoU for cooperation in that cannot be violated. a political solution to the Syrian cri- medical supplies to the Syrian peo- attempts to destroy Syria and ripping education and higher education and scientific research between Qatar This came in a speech delivered sis.” He said the Syrian regime has ple to relieve suffering, and continued apart its social fabric and condemn- and Chad, signed in Doha on November 17, 2015. by Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah never been serious about reaching imprisonment of innocent detain- ing in the strongest terms the Syrian Al Henzab, Qatar’s Permanent Rep- such a solution since the beginning ees, especially women and children, regime and its allies’ practices to resentative to the UN Office in Geneva of the crisis that began with peaceful languishing unjustly in prisons and bring about a demographic change Emir ratifies Cabinet decision at a meeting of the 31st session of revolution to establish a democratic subjected to the worst kinds of tor- in Syria, displace people from their the Human Rights Council on inter- system and ensure freedom and jus- ture and oppression. areas of origin and spread sectari- DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday rati- active dialogue with International tice and respect for human rights. The non-respect of the Syrian anism and factionalism. fied Cabinet Decision No. 9 of 2016 on the application of Law No. 24 of 2002 on the retirement and pensions to Qatari employees of ‘Teach for Qatar’ foundation. The decision is effective from its date of issue and will be published in the official gazette. Emir issues decree Ashghal tackles rains in record time DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued Decree No. 20 of 2016, amending unified customs tariff. It is effective from this January 1 and will be published in the official gazette. Water logging and overflowing dealt Emir ratifies two MoUs with Sri Lanka with in 130 places DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued during three days of Decree No. 18 of 2016, ratifying an MoU on cooperation in the field of rains. youth between Qatar and Sri Lanka, signed in Colombo on March 24, 2015. It will take effect in line with Article 68 of the Constitution. The Emir also issued Decree No. 19 of 2016, ratifying an MoU in the field of sports between both countries in Colombo on March 24, 2015. The Peninsula It will takes effect in line with Article 68 of the Constitution. Deputy PM gets call from US envoy DOHA: Ashghal has said its pre- paredness to deal with sudden The Rain Emergency Committee met round-the-clock during the rains earlier this month.