Tag Archives: classifieds
VP receives credentials of 15 new ambassadors
VP receives credentials of 15 new ambassadors (Wam) / 9 August 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received the credentials of 15 newly assigned ambassadors of sisterly and friendly countries at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening. Shaikh Mohammed welcomed the new ambassadors who conveyed regards from the heads of states of their respective countries to the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid. In his remarks at the meeting, Shaikh Mohammed emphasised that he would give directives to the Cabinet and all relevant authorities to provide all facilities to the new ambassadors to enable them to implement their missions in the service of the common interests of the UAE and their respective countries. He also noted that the leadership, government and people of the UAE were keen on strengthening cooperation and friendly relations with all countries based on mutual respect, mutual interests as well as the international legitimacy which provided for justice and equality between all peoples of the world, and for the preservation of peace and co-existence. Shaikh Mohammed wished the new ambassadors good luck in their assignments and service of the higher national interests of their states and the UAE. On their parts, the new ambassadors expressed their pleasure at representing their countries in the UAE. They hailed the ongoing overall development in the UAE under the wise leadership. They also conveyed greetings of the leaders of their respective countries to Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammed. They also expressed their best wishes of further progress and prosperity for the UAE and its people. The newly accredited ambassadors are: Warawudh Chuwiruch, Thailand; Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya, Sri Lanka; Umej Singh Bhatia, Singapore; Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, South Africa; Hassan Yousef Saad, Lebanon; Mohammed Omran, Bangladesh; Muwafaq Mahdi Abboud, Iraq; Alexander Efimov, Russia; Roman Golovchenko, Belarusia; Irene Florence Persis Wekiya, Uganda; Mohammad Yusra bin Hajj Mohammad Saleh, Brunie Darussalam; Kwon Hae-Ryong, South Korea; Ahmed Yousef Siddiq Ahmad, Sudan; Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen; and Zoltan Yanshi, Hungary. The ceremony was attended by Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development; Shaikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; and Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Continue reading
Al Qaeda terror threat escalates
Al Qaeda terror threat escalates Amanda Fisher and Nivriti Butalia / 4 August 2013 As the threat of Al Qaeda-linked terror attacks extends across the globe, with the German, French and British embassies in Yemen announcing closures on Saturday in addition to blanket US embassy closures, local residents and security experts are remaining sceptical about the danger in the UAE. Extra blockades in place at a checkpoint leading to the US embassy in the Yemeni capital of Saana on Saturday. — AFP The American State Department announced on Thursday that 21 embassies across the Middle East would shut down Sunday, while on Friday a global travel alert was issued warning US citizens to be cautious travelling through the Middle East and North Africa after it revealed it had intelligence Al Qaeda was planning an attack in the region this month. On Saturday, the German and British foreign ministries announced the closure of the Yemen embassies in Sanaa only for both Sunday and Monday, while the French government said its embassy would shut for today only, signalling the threat is centred in the country. Interpol also issued a global security alert, after it revealed a series of prison breaks in Iran, Pakistan and Libya could be related and Al Qaeda-orchestrated. A British Foreign Ministry spokesman told Khaleej Times the closure related only to its mission in Sanaa, as did a German Foreign Ministry spokesman, who cited security reasons. “This is the only closure of a German embassy that has been decided so far and communicated. Of course, we are constantly checking the security situation and we’re in constant exchange with our international partners and we’re ready to take further measures.” He would not be drawn on the security situation in the UAE or whether further closures at different embassies were likely. The British Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was “particularly concerned” about security in the lead-up to Eid Al Fitr. MENEA Travel Security Services regional security director Julian Moro said the threat was “more of a logistics problem than anything”. “We don’t look at it as a sensational threat.” Speaking of the speculated role of Al Qaeda, Moro said the company’s terrorism risk ratings for countries had not changed as a result of the recent alerts, and the rating for the UAE continued to be low. “The terrorism risk varies greatly between the listed countries.” He urged people to put faith in capable authorities. “Individuals should look at this from the perspective that intelligence services are capable and continue to monitor the environment for genuine threats and by taking a conservative approach they are minimising the risk to their staff, citizens and visitors.” John Larson, a media-marketing consultant who has been in Dubai for the past 16 years, said he was not particularly worried about the threat — one that he had heard of through the web and word-of-mouth. “I’ve been here 16 years and there have been just so many alerts and terror threats and warnings, that one is just kind of used to it.” However, he said it did not hurt to be vigilant. “This is a heads-up, sure, and you don’t want to be foolish. But based on the accuracy of these warnings over the last 10-12 years… well, I wouldn’t not do anything that I was going to do anyway. So if I had a plane to catch, I would still catch it.” Meanwhile, Interpol is investigating whether recent prison breaks in the three Islamic countries of Iraq, Libya and Pakistan, were linked, given the suspicion Al Qaeda was behind some of the breaks through which many escaped prisoners have not yet been caught. It asked its 190 member-countries to be on alert for information connected to the incidents. Prison breaks took place in Pakistan on July 31 in a Taleban-led operation, and in Iraq at the Abu Ghraib prison overnight on July 22. Some 500 convicts, among them senior Al Qaeda operatives, escaped from Abu Ghraib. More than 1,100 inmates broke out of a prison on the outskirts of Benghazi on July 27. Interpol also noted that August was the anniversary of several violent attacks over the past years, including in Mumbai and Nairobi. news@khaleejtimes.com (With inputs from agencies) Continue reading
Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested
Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested Staff Reporter / 4 August 2013 As many as 72 people of different nationalities have been arrested by the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Directorate for begging, with several found with thousands of dirhams. One of the arrested beggars was found with Dh22,000 on him while another had Dh14,000, the directorate said, noting the pair were both Arab nationals who had gained the large amount in a short period of time. Of the 72 arrested, of whom 64 were males and eight were females, 33 were residing in the country illegally or in violation of the residency law. Their ages ranged between 21 and 71. The clampdown and arrests was due to the efforts of the anti-begging teams during the holy month of Ramadan with the cooperation of members of the public. The Directorate said there would be no tolerance with people found begging. “Begging is absolutely unacceptable and we will strictly confront it by tracking down and arresting the (perpetrators),” said Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Director Brigadier Maktoum Al Sharifi. The anti-begging squads aim to raise awareness amongst the members of the society and urge them not to take pity on such people, who use different approaches and methods to gain sympathy and money. “Begging is an open door for committing crime due,” he said, referring to thefts often committed by beggars who gained entry or were invited into others’ houses. He urged Emiratis and expatriates not to allow beggars to enter their accommodation, and not to pity them. Brigadier Al Sharifi said the public were aware of the reality of beggars as a result of the awareness campaigns by police. He urged the public not to hesitate in reporting beggars by calling the Operations Room (999) or any police station during Ramadan and on normal days, round the clock. Meanwhile, Sharjah Police arrested 191 illegals including 56 Arab beggars as part of its campaign targeting those who practice illegal jobs, mobile vendors and infiltrators. The police arrested mobile vendors who walk around in the streets, squares and public areas selling fake products and expired food items. Some of the illegals arrested were gathering and collecting cans and cardboards. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
