1996 - 2021 SILVER JUBILEE YEAR The Peninsula wishes its readers a joyous TUESDAY 20 JULY 2021 10 DHUL-HIJJAH- 1442 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8688 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Amir exchanges Eid Al Adha greetings with leaders of Arab and Islamic countries QNA — DOHA occasion of Eid Al Adha, in a tel- Amir to perform Eid prayer at Al Wajba prayer area ephone call His Highness Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin received yesterday. Hamad Al Thani exchanged QNA — DOHA The Deputy Amir H H cables of greetings with Their Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Majesties, Excellencies and Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will perform the Thani exchanged cables of Highnesses leaders of Arab and blessed Eid Al Adha prayer at Al Wajba praying area today greetings with Their Highnesses Islamic countries on the morning along with citizens. and Excellencies crown princes occasion of Eid Al Adha. and vice-presidents of Arab and H H the Amir also received Islamic countries on the cables of congratulations on this with President of the Islamic the Sultanate of Oman H H Fahd occasion of Eid Al-Adha. occasion from a number of Republic of Iran H E Dr. bin Mahmoud Al Said on the The Prime Minister and leaders of friendly countries. Hassan Rouhani on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, in a tel- Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Amir exchanged greetings occasion of Eid Al Adha, in a ephone call H H made, Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz with President of the Arab telephone call His Highness yesterday. Al Thani also exchanged cables Republic of Egypt H E Abdel made yesterday. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin of congratulations with Their Fattah Al Sisi on the occasion of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani exchanged Excellencies heads of govern- Eid Al Adha, in a telephone call Hamad Al Thani exchanged greetings with the President of ments of Arab and Islamic H H received yesterday. greetings with Deputy Prime the State of Palestine H E countries on the occasion of Eid Amir exchanged greetings Minister for Cabinet Affairs of Mahmoud Abbas on the Al Adha. Afghan parties pledge to continue negotiations to reach a settlement THE PENINSULA — DOHA Afghanistan government and Taliban thanked The Chairman of the High Council Qatar for its efforts to reach lasting peace. for National Reconciliation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, has called on Abdullah Abdullah urges more flexibility both sides involved in the ongoing between Afghan negotiating parties. Afghan peace negotiations in Doha to show flexibility. Abdullah added: “It is time for the two sides State of Qatar for its efforts to reach military escalation and the high of the negotiations to talk about lasting peace in Afghanistan. death toll are pushing the two sides the real and important issues that Speaking to the Al Jazeera to speed up negotiations. This esca- lead to a political settlement.” channel, Abdullah indicated that the lation cannot resolve the situation After two days of talks in Doha, a two sides (the Taliban and the in Afghanistan. No one party can joint statement said that the two sides Afghanistan government) have not impose itself on an entire nation stressed the importance of reaching yet agreed on a specific road map through military progress.” a settlement that meets the interests to stop the fighting, expressing his He emphasised that the Doha Pilgrims move to Muzdalifa of the Afghans in accordance with hope that as long as negotiations negotiations have led to a clarifi- Pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Islamic principles. The two sides continue between them, an ami- cation of views among the Afghan Makkah in Saudi Arabia, yesterday. After spending around 12 hours on the plains of Arafat also expressed their commitment cable settlement would be achieved. leaders, as they agreed to speed up for the most important part of Haj, 60,000 pilgrims went to Muzdalifah in preparation for to continue negotiations at a high “Washington supports the the negotiation process. But the the final stages of this year’s pilgrimage. `See also page 5 level until the settlement is com- Afghan negotiations in Doha, as well people were expecting more than pleted and will work to provide as the countries of the region,” that. “The pace of progress is slow, humanitarian assistance throughout Abdullah added. Regarding the mil- and unfortunately, this is the case,” QOC completes vaccination for international Afghanistan. They also thanked the itary escalation, Abdullah said: “The Abdullah said. `P2 athletes ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympics QNA — DOHA with the National Olympic To this end, last week, Committees, established two the QOC completed all The Qatar Olympic centers in Qatar and Rwanda vaccine doses for partici- Committee (QOC) has to provide additional oppor- pants of the countries who completed its vaccination tunities for vaccination joined the initiative. Partic- program for athletes who against the Coronavirus ipants arrived at Hamad were unable to be vacci- (COVID-19) pandemic for International Airport and nated in their home coun- groups of participants in the stayed at Doha’s training tries in advance of travelling Olympic and Paralympic camp. The QOC provided all to Japan for the Tokyo 2020 Games. necessary measures Olympic Games. After a group of countries required for the athletes and This initiative came joined this great initiative, the delegations in cooperation Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution, H E Dr within the framework of QOC agreed jointly with the with Ministry of Interior, Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani (centre); Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan, QOC’s partnership with the IOC, Pfizer-BioNTech and Ministry of Public Health Abdullah Abdullah (left); and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Taliban's deputy leader and negotiator during the International Olympic Com- Qatar Airways to provide and Hamad International negotiations in Doha. mittee, which, in coordination vaccinations Airport. `P2 Traffic department urges motorists Staycation an increasing trend in Qatar to ensure tyres are in good shape FAZEENA SALEEM During May, average occupancy “We all are in need of several vaca- THE PENINSULA of hotels in Qatar stood at 56 percent, tions, especially sometimes short breaks SIDI MOHAMED Failure to check and maintain tyres up 10 percent compared to same month from the routine. So from the second THE PENINSULA well may cause accidents, especially on Staycation is an increasing trend in last year, according to ValuStrat- a real day of Eid we are planning for a stay- major highways, so caution must be Qatar because it’s an easy way to take estate consultancy firm. cation for two days. We have teenage The Ministry of Interior (MoI), repre- taken during this period. Incidents of a break without travelling too far. Those Staycation offers vary from hotels, children so the hotel we choose is giving sented by the General Directorate of tyre burst while driving due to high who prefer to take a staycation in Doha but generally include up to 50 percent a 50 percent discount on second room Traffic, has advised motorists to be more speeds and overload remains a signif- during this Eid holiday season and discount on rooms and include for children under the age of 16 years,” cautious of their tyres during summer. icant problem among road users. during summer are offered several breakfast, discount on food and bev- Iliyas, a Tunisian resident in Qatar, said. With the high temperature, motorists The General Directorate of Traffic also choices by hotels such as to be by the erages, early check-in and late check- “The hotel also offers spa, dining, are enjoined to regularly inspect their urged motorists to use tyres that are in beach, explore the city, or to relax at spa. out, access to swimming pools, spa swimming pool and beach options,” vehicles’ tyres for any possible damage good condition, stating, “tyres in safe and Although the travel restrictions facilities, and discount for children he said. Staycation offers at hotels and ensure proper air pressure, espe- good conditions ensure durability and sta- due to COVID-19 are being relaxed, and many other such benefits. across Doha ranges from QR400 to cially for those who intend to drive to bility of the vehicle on the road, keeping many are spending their vacations in “We’ll never get sick of admiring QR3,500 depending on the services the beach during the Eid holidays. you safe from accidents.” Qatar. For such people to benefit, the views of the city from above, and and ratings of hotels. Safety of guests High temperatures can become a Speaking to The Peninsula, Lt hotels across the country have we could do it just without spending has become a prime focus for hotels severe problem for tyres, especially if Colonel Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba, launched exciting offers throughout too much money. We got special rates amid the outbreak of COVID-19. they are not properly maintained. All Assistant Director of the Media and Eid holidays and summer months. at the hotel and it included breakfast, Hotels have applied the highest pos- tyres – including the spare ones — Traffic Awareness Department at the Staycation, a term coined by merging 20 percent off at all the food and bev- sible safety standards to make stay- should be checked regularly. General Directorate of Traffic, said: “In ‘stay’ and ‘vacation’, refers to a vacation erage outlets in the hotel,” said cations safe for guests. Health status “Before starting your drive, inspect such hot weather, attention must be paid spent in home country rather than Thahira Ismail, a long-time resident on Ehtraz should remain green for all your tyres for any damage and ensure to vehicles’ tyres, especially for those abroad.