Doha, September 26 (QNA) – Katara, Qatar’s Cultural Village is welcoming the critically acclaimed opera, Aida, composed by Giuseppe Verdi.
The event will mark the first live performance at Katara s magnificent Amphitheatre, open to the public. Opening on Thursday 18th October at 7:30pm, the opera will continue with an additional performance on Saturday 21st October at 7:30pm.

Aida, conducted by Giovanni Bottesini was first performed at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo on 24th December 1871. An opera in four acts, Aida tells the tale of a forbidden love of Aida, a Nubian princess, captured and enslaved by the Egyptian army. She falls in love with ambitious Egyptian soldier, Radames promised to the King s daughter Amneris. She is faced with the decision of choosing between her own true love and her loyalty to the people.
President of Katara, Abdulrahman Al-Khulaifi said: “We are delighted to host the world renowned opera, Aida at Katara’s Amphitheatre which provides the perfect back drop for such an iconic piece of theatrical art. Katara is dedicated to showcasing the diverse cultures of the world; this event is a testimonial of our commitment to the growth of the arts and culture scene in the Middle East. The Amphitheatre doesn’t only provide a spectacular location but an enthralling experience, taking you back in time.”
Verdi’s acclaimed opera; Aida brings together over 80 choruses, 12 ballet dancers, and 35 actors who come together with 8 of the world’s most famous Verdi singers. Under the baton of Verdi specialist Pier Giorgio Morandi, performers will join forces with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra to bring Qatar music at its best. Aida showcases set design masterpieces designed by renowned Igor Mitoraj, known for his unique sculptural work.
In December 2011, Katara s Amphitheatre was officially inaugurated with a rare, outstanding, live performance by world renowned Greek Composer, Vangelis, best known for his iconic, award-winning musical score for the film Chariots of Fire. The Amphitheatre was designed by Cansault Maunsil LTD and Architectural Consulting Group U.A.E and completed in the year 2008.
The 3,275sqm theatre is a crafted balance between the classical Greek theatre concept and the everlasting Islamic features, standing firm in the heart of Katara overlooking the radiant blue sea of Qatar. The Amphitheatre will host major events in Doha from all over the world with the capacity to accommodate 5,000 seated persons very comfortably.(QNA)

Geneva, September 26 (QNA) – Qatar has asserted that it will continue its support to Yemen in passing the transition stage in order to achieve a secure future and in alignment with the Gulf initiative and its implementation mechanisms aimed at maintaining the security of Yemen and its stability with the consent of the various political parties in the country.
 This came in a speech of Qatar Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office  in Geneva delivered by Khalid Fahad Al-Hajri at  21st session of the Human Rights Council,  currently in session in Geneva from 10 to 28 Sept. under item number (10) on technical assistance and capacity building.
Hajri welcomed in this regard the recommendation of the High Commissioner, which calls on the international community to provide all the financial and technical support needed to plan the transitional government of Yemen to face of the related political and economic challenges.
He said that technical assistance and capacity building in the field of human rights is one of the basic tools and are of growing importance, which would enhance the capacity of Member States to respect their obligations relating to human rights and then the promotion and protection of human rights of its citizens.
 Al-Hajri reiterated Qatar’s commitment and its belief in the importance of strengthening technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of human rights. (QNA)

New York, September 26 (QNA) – Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani has participated in the Arab ministerial meeting at the UN headquarters, which was held on the sidelines  of the 67th UN General Assembly session. The meeting was attended by a number of  Arab foreign ministers in addition to  the Arab League Secretary General Dr. Nabil El Arabi, Secretary    and  the UN-Arab League envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi
The meeting discussed the repercussions of the Syrian and efforts to find an immediate solution to the crisis, in addition to the developments of the Palestinian issue.(QNA)

New York, September 26 (QNA) – HE The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani conferred on Wednesday at Qatar’s permanent mission at the UN with the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati, on the sidelines of the current 67th session of the General Assembly. Relations between the two countries and issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.(QNA)

Doha, September 26 (QNA) – Qatar University and TOTAL Company-Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of academic cooperation and development of students, in order to strengthen the links between the industrial fields and the academic community.
Under the MoU TOTAL Qatar pledges to facilitate training and scientific research for the Students of Qatar University.
Head of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Qatar University Professor Samir Juah said that this coordination will be very important for the faculty and students in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and for the accredited programs in the field of environmental sciences.
For his part, the Director of Research Center at Total Qatar Dr. Philip Julian  said that this MoU is an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between the Research Center of Total Qatar and Qatar University in the fields of environmental science training, research and development, especially in the field of air quality management. (QNA)

Doha, September 26 (QNA) – Qatar will participate at the Fifty-Ninth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean due to kick off in Cairo from 1-4 October.
HE Minister of Health and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Health, Abdulla bin Khalid Al-Qahtani, will lead Qatar’s delegation to the convention.
The committee will present progress reports on multiple health issues, including the eradication of poliomyelitis, the Tobacco Free Initiative, and the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals and global health goals after 2015.
It will also present working documents on the Political Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, and Health systems strengthening in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region:challenges, priorities and options for future action.(QNA)
The Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean is WHO s decision-making body in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Its membership includes the health ministers of 22 member states of the region, including Palestine. (QNA)

New York, September 26 (QNA) – HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has hosted here last night a dinner banquet in honour of the heads of the Arab countries participating in the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, now in session in New York.
The banquet was attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Hadi Mansour, President of the Comoros Ikililou Dhoinine, President of the General National Congress of Libya Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf, Iraqi Vice President Khodair al-Khozaei and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
The banquet was also attended by several heads of Arab countries delegations along with GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdul-Latif al-Zayani, Arab League Secretary General Dr. Nabil al-Arabi and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
HE Qatar’s Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani and a number of Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH the Emir also attended the banquet.
Later HH the Emir left New York after taking part in the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.  (QNA)

Doha, September 26 (QNA) –  Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) announced the signing of a new long term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Kansai Electric Power Company Incorporated (KEPCO) of Japan.
The agreement was signed in Doha by HE Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Qatargas 3 in the presence of Yoichi Mukae, Executive Director of KEPCO.
This is the first long-term bilateral agreement between KEPCO and Qatargas 3. Under the terms of the agreement, Qatargas 3 will deliver 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTA) of LNG for a period of 15 years starting from 2013.
On this occasion HE Dr. Al-Sada said that “The State of Qatar continues to contribute towards global energy security, in line with the vision of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Today’s agreement reinforces our strong relationship with one of Qatargas’ foundation customers and demonstrates our continued commitment to supply LNG to Japan for the long-term. As the largest LNG-producing company in the world, Qatargas is committed to providing reliable energy supplies to all four corners of the world.”
HE Khalid Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Qatargas Chief Executive Officer said that “Today, we have achieved a significant milestone in our excellent partnership with KEPCO, which started in 1994 when we signed an agreement with a consortium of Japanese buyers including KEPCO. This agreement is further testimony of our long-term commitment to Japan and reinforces Qatargas’ global reputation as a safe and reliable supplier of LNG. We remain committed to supporting Japan’s continuous requirement for stable energy supplies.”
For his part, Yoichi Mukae, Executive Director, KEPCO, added that “In this memorable year of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between the state of Qatar and Japan, we are pleased to execute the new contract with Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG supplier. We strongly expect this agreement to reinforce the partnership between Qatargas and Kansai Electric and to lead to our stable LNG procurement.”
KEPCO, the second largest electricity company in Japan, is one of the original eight Japanese buyers which signed a multi-party contract with Qatargas 1 back in 1994. The delivery of LNG to Japan and KEPCO under this contract started in 1997.
Earlier this year, on June 11, 2012, Qatargas 1 executed a similar long-term deal with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).  (QNA)