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Qatar emerges as bridge between Taliban and world

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani Pic creidts Twitter @DrabdullahCE

Al-Thani has visited Kabul several times since the Taliban takeover but this is his first trip after the Taliban announced their caretaker government…reports Asian Lite News

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul rahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with the newly appointed Taliban officials on Sunday.

Following the meeting, Taliban officials said that Qatar is committed to strengthening ties between Taliban regime and other foreign countries, TOLO News reported.

According to the TOLO News reports, Taliban officials added that Qatar will serve as a ‘bridge’ between the Taliban and international community for the better future of Afghanistan.

“Bilateral relations were discussed. Qatar will act as a bridge with our foreign relations.”TOLO News quoted Saaed Khosti, a member of the Taliban’s Cultural Commission as saying.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani Pic creidts Twitter

During the visit, Al-Thani held substantive discussions with former president Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation on issues related to inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Al-Thani, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, has visited Kabul several times since the Taliban takeover but this is his first trip after the Taliban announced their caretaker government, Khaama News reported.

The Foreign Minister and Akhund met in the Presidential Palace (ARG) on Sunday.

Akhund seated on the exact chair of former President Ashraf Ghani appeared for the first time since his appointment as head of the government.

The Taliban said both sides talked about bilateral relations and Qatar’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

“The meeting focused on bilateral relations, humanitarian assistance, economic development and interaction with the world,” TOLO News quoted Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman of the Taliban, as saying.

“The Doha agreement was a landmark achievement, all sides should adhere to its implementation.”

According to Shaheen, Al-Thani also reiterated his willingness to boost bilateral relations.

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-Top News Afghanistan Qatar

Haqqanis present in full strength at meeting with Qatar

The Taliban insisted that Baradar is in Kandahar province, meeting with the group’s supreme leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada to discuss the country’s future…reports Asian Lite News

Speculation intensified about the fate of the Deputy Leader of Afghanistan government, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, after Taliban leaders met with senior delegates from Qatar in Kabul on Sunday, with Baradar conspicuously absent from the meeting, Daily Mail reported.

On Monday, the Taliban were forced to deny that Mullah Baradar is dead after rumours emerged that he was killed during a gunfight with his political rivals.

The Taliban insisted that Baradar is in Kandahar province, meeting with the group’s supreme leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada to discuss the country’s future now that the US troops have withdrawn.

But the social media rumour-mill believes he was actually killed in a gun battle in Kabul’s presidential palace on Friday that broke out during a meeting with the powerful and ruthless Haqqani family, the report said.

Three members of the Haqqani family were at the summit with Qatar delegates along with other members of the new Afghan government – led by Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund, the report said.

PIc credits @MofaQatar_EN

Baradar is one of the Taliban’s founding members and had served as deputy to its first supreme leader Mullah Omar, who died in 2013 from tuberculosis.

After Omar’s death, Baradar took over as leader of the political wing of the Taliban and is one of the group’s senior most figures.

But he is thought to be in conflict with the Haqqani family, leaders of the fearsome Haqqani Network which is affiliated to the Taliban but also has links to terror groups opposed to the Islamists, such as ISIS-K.

Two members of the clan – Sirajuddin and Khalil – now hold senior positions in the new government, taking the roles of Interior Minister and Refugee Minister, respectively.

Anna Haqqani also holds a role as a high-level negotiator, and was present during the meeting with Qatari diplomats.

Rumours about Baradar’s safety began circulating last week when the Taliban announced its new government and named him as Deputy Prime Minister, despite the widespread belief that he would take the top job.

That led to speculation that he had been demoted due to the in-fighting between Taliban founding members and the Haqqani Network — a powerful faction of the Taliban whose family members secured top positions in the new administration, the report said.

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-Top News Afghanistan Qatar

Top Qataris Arrive in Kabul to Meet Akhund

PIc credits @MofaQatar_EN

Taliban acting Prime Minister Hassan Akhund thanked Qatar for its assistance to the people of Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News

The newly appointed Taliban government’s acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund has met with visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

During the meeting held at Afghanistan’s Presidential Palace on Sunday, the two sides discussed bilateral relations, humanitarian assistance, Afghanistan’s future economic development and the international engagement with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the state-run Bakhtar news agency’s report.

According to the report, Hassan Akhund thanked Qatar for its assistance to the people of Afghanistan, stressing that the Qatari people had helped Afghans in embracing peace and stability and stood alongside Afghans during difficult situations.

PIc credits @MofaQatar_EN

The talks also touched upon the importance of international aid to Afghanistan.

The Qatari foreign minister hoped that Afghanistan and Qatar “would have good relations in the future,” the report said.

The visit came days after the Taliban announced a caretaker government in Afghanistan on September 7.

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-Top News Afghanistan Qatar

Qatar working with Taliban to reopen Kabul airport

Turkey could be providing the potential technical support to restart operations at the airport…reports Asian Lite News

Qatar Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Thursday informed that the state is discussing with the Taliban to reopen Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Turkey could be providing the potential technical support to restart operations at the airport, Al Jazeera reported citing Abdulrahman Al Thani.

“We are working very hard (and) we remain hopeful that we will be able to operate it as soon as possible… Hopefully in the next few days, we will hear some good news,” the Qatari foreign minister said at a press conference with his British counterpart Dominic Raab in Doha.

Meanwhile, Raab also said that there is a need to engage with the Taliban in Afghanistan, but Britain has no immediate plans to recognise their government.

“UK is not going to recognise the Taliban anytime in the foreseeable future”, adding that he will judge Taliban by their actions, not by their words.

Raab arrived in Qatar on Thursday morning to discuss the Afghanistan situation with Qatar Foreign Minister in Doha.

In another recent development, Taliban Political office Deputy Head Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai on Wednesday met Turkey’s Ambassador to Qatar Mustafa Goksu at the Taliban’s office in Doha.

According to Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem, Turkey’s Ambassador to Qatar Goksu promised that Turkey will continue its relations and cooperation with Afghanistan, reported TOLOnews.

The Taliban on Wednesday also informed that supreme leader Haibatullah Akhunzada will be the Head of the new Afghan government.

Reports also indicate that there will also be a Prime Minister post in the next government in Afghanistan, Tolo News reported.

Meanwhile, Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, stressed that while the UN remains “determined to deliver”, more funding is needed to reach millions who depend on aid to survive.

He reported that more than half of all under-fives are suffering from extreme malnutrition, and more than one-third of citizens are not getting enough to eat.

“It is extremely important that we prevent Afghanistan from descending into a further humanitarian catastrophe by taking the necessary steps to provide essential items which this country needs right now. And that is to support food, health and protection services, and non-food items, to those who are in extreme need,” Alakbarov said while speaking from the capital, Kabul.

In recent days, the UN has flown medical supplies into the Mazar-i-Sharif airport in northern Afghanistan, while some 600 metric tonnes of food were delivered by trucks coming over the border from Pakistan. (ANI/IANS)

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-Top News Qatar

Isolating Taliban could lead to further instability: Qatar

The Qatari foreign minister also warned against any rise of “terrorism” after the US withdrawal and called for an inclusive government…reports Asian Lite News

Qatar’s foreign minister has warned that isolating the Taliban could lead to further instability and urged countries to engage with the movement to address security and socioeconomic concerns in Afghanistan.

“If we are starting to put conditions and stopping this engagement, we are going to leave a vacuum, and the question is, who is going to fill this vacuum?,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in Doha on Tuesday, alongside his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, Al Jazeera reported.

The US-allied Gulf Arab state has emerged as a key interlocutor to the Taliban, having hosted the group’s political office since 2013.

“We believe that without engagement we cannot reach … real progress on the security front or on the socioeconomic front,” Sheikh Mohammed said, adding that recognising the Taliban as the government was not a priority.

(Image Source ANI)

The Qatari foreign minister also warned against any rise of “terrorism” after the US withdrawal and called for an inclusive government, the report said.

“It is our role to always urge them (the Taliban) to have an expanded government that includes all parties and not to exclude any party.

“During our talks with the Taliban, there was no positive or negative response,” al-Thani said, referring to recent talks between Qatar and Afghanistan’s new rulers.

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Arab News India News Qatar

Cabinet nod for MoU between ICAI, QFCA

The MoU would enhance cooperation between the Institutes to work together to strengthen the Accounting profession and entrepreneurship base in Qatar….reports Asian Lite News

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA).

The MoU would enhance cooperation between the Institutes to work together to strengthen the Accounting profession and entrepreneurship base in Qatar.

ICAI has a strong membership base of over 6000 members in Middle East and Qatar (Doha) Chapter is amongst the most vibrant Chapters of ICAI. ICAI members hold key positions in various private and public companies and are actively involved in support and development of the accounting profession in Qatar.

The signing of this MoU would provide an additional impetus to prospects of the ICAI Members in the entire Middle Eastern Region to have better recognition, together with working to support Indian businesses desirous of doing business in Qatar and thus supporting the growth of Qatar and India’s economies.

The ICAI also has an active Chapter in Doha, Qatar which was established in the year 1981 and is the oldest among the 36 overseas Chapters of the ICAI. The membership of the Chapter has grown steadily since its founding days and presently has over 300 members who hold key positions in various private and public companies and are actively involved in support and development of the accounting profession in Qatar. This MoU will benefit Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Qatar Financial Centre Authority.

As per the MoU, both sides would endeavour to increase opportunities for members of ICAI to provide professional services through setting up practice for providing professional services in the State of Qatar in the areas of assurance and auditing, advisory, taxation, financial services and allied areas.

ICAI shall also nurture and develop local Qatar professionals, entrepreneurs and students through a specialized training programme, in collaboration with QFCA.

ICAI and QFCA will work together to explore the opportunities for Indian businesses in Qatar by organizing roundtables, networking events etc., as the case may be mutually agreed.

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Arab News Qatar

Asian Games 2030 To Be Held At Doha

The 2030 Asian Games will be hosted by Doha, Qatar while the 2034 Asiad has been awarded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced on Wednesday.

Qatar’s capital Doha was announced as the winner after a vote by 45 OCA member committees at the 39th OCA General Assembly held in Muscat, Oman and online.

The process was hampered by repeated delays caused by problems with the online voting system.

Riyadh ended up runner-up to Doha for the 2030 Asian Games and was thus awarded the 2034 edition. “I will be glad to have two games in west Asia, to be honest,” said OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.

Doha hosted the 15th Asian Games in 2006, but Saudi Arabia has never organised an OCA multi-sport event. The next two Asian Games will be held in East Asia, China’s Hangzhou in 2022 and Japan’s Aichi and Nagoya in 2026, before the Games move to West Asia.

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-Top News Arab News Qatar

UN Chief Lauds Kuwait’s Efforts to Defuse Gulf Crisis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed Kuwait’s mediation efforts to defuse tension between Qatar and several other Gulf countries.

“The Secretary-General is encouraged by the statement by the foreign minister of Kuwait and other reports that the Gulf rift is close to a resolution,” Xinhua news agency quoted Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief’s spokesman, as saying on Friday.

“The Secretary-General welcomes the efforts and contributions of Kuwait in building bridges of understanding in the Gulf region and beyond,” the spokesman added.

Guterres expressed the hope that all countries involved in the dispute will work together to formally resolve their differences, and stressed the importance of Gulf unity for regional peace, security and development.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have imposed a diplomatic and economic blockade on Qatar since June 2017, alleging that the gas-rich Gulf country supports terrorism and interferes in their domestic affairs.

They have been asking for a list of demands which Qatar has to implement in order to revive ties.

Qatar has repeatedly denied the charges, calling it “unjustified” and “baseless”, and refused the demands, citing them as interference in its sovereignty.

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Arab News Qatar Sport World News

‘2022 World Cup Preparations Advancing Well’

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Just two years to go until the next edition of the FIFA World Cup gets underway in Qatar on November 21, 2022.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy is making sure they offer a unique experience during the first edition of the event to be held in the Middle East and Arab world.

Work is in full swing and the infrastructure planned for the event has reached 90 per cent completion, with three stadiums already been completed — Khalifa International, Al Janouband Education City. They have also safely hosted more than 100 matches in 2020 in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, as per an official release from the organisers.

“2020 has surely been a challenging year for the entire world, and football was no exception. Despite the difficulties, steady progress was made in the last few months, showing yet again Qatar’s strong and continued commitment – under the leadership of the Amir, whom I personally thank – to hosting an unforgettable FIFA World Cup in two years’ time, which will no doubt build a legacy long beyond 2022,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.


“During my short visit to Doha a few weeks ago, I witnessed first-hand how well preparations have advanced, and I am looking forward with confidence to Qatar 2022, for the transformative impact it is already having on the country and the region, for the unique experience it will provide fans from all over the world and, of course, for witnessing the best World Cup ever.”

Among the many distinctive features, travelling fans will have the opportunity to potentially attend more than one match a day during the group stage, which will feature an exciting schedule with four daily fixtures, as announced earlier this year, the release added.

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “This is an incredibly important FIFA World Cup — for Qatar, the region and the world. Qatar 2022 will introduce billions of people to the Middle East and Arab world for the first time, and help to foster a greater understanding and break down stereotypes that people may have of our country and region. We’re very excited to welcome the world in 2022.”

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