• (FILES) In this file photo taken on November 23, 2020 former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei speaks at his office in the West Bank town of Abu Dis. - Qurei died at the age of 86 late on February 22 at in the West Bank city of Ramallah, the Palestinian president announced. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
    (FILES) In this file photo taken on November 23, 2020 former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei speaks at his office in the West Bank town of Abu Dis. - Qurei died at the age of 86 late on February 22 at in the West Bank city of Ramallah, the Palestinian president announced. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
  • Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (L) pays his respects during the funeral of Mr Qurei in Ramallah on February 22. AFP
    Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (L) pays his respects during the funeral of Mr Qurei in Ramallah on February 22. AFP
  • An honour guard carries Mr Qurei's coffin, draped in the Palestinian flag. AFP
    An honour guard carries Mr Qurei's coffin, draped in the Palestinian flag. AFP
  • The funeral took place in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. AFP
    The funeral took place in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. AFP
  • Palestinian Authority official Hussein Al Sheikh, right, said of Mr Qurei's death: 'We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.' Reuters
    Palestinian Authority official Hussein Al Sheikh, right, said of Mr Qurei's death: 'We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.' Reuters
  • Mr Qurei at a press conference in Abu Dis in the West Bank, near Jerusalem, in January 2011. Reuters
    Mr Qurei at a press conference in Abu Dis in the West Bank, near Jerusalem, in January 2011. Reuters
  • Chief Palestinian negotiator Mr Qurei reads out a statement during a news conference in Cairo in February 2009. Reuters
    Chief Palestinian negotiator Mr Qurei reads out a statement during a news conference in Cairo in February 2009. Reuters
  • Mr Qurei at Amman Airport in December 2007. Reuters
    Mr Qurei at Amman Airport in December 2007. Reuters
  • Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak (L) talks to Mr Qurei at the White House in Washington in November 2007. Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice are in the background. Reuters
    Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak (L) talks to Mr Qurei at the White House in Washington in November 2007. Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice are in the background. Reuters
  • Mr Qurei with Condoleeza Rice in November 2007. Getty
    Mr Qurei with Condoleeza Rice in November 2007. Getty
  • Prime minister Qurei talks to reporters while painting a wall in Gaza in August 2005. Reuters
    Prime minister Qurei talks to reporters while painting a wall in Gaza in August 2005. Reuters
  • The Palestinian PM is flanked by bodyguards as he arrives to attend weekly cabinet meeting in Gaza city in July 2005. Reuters
    The Palestinian PM is flanked by bodyguards as he arrives to attend weekly cabinet meeting in Gaza city in July 2005. Reuters
  • British PM Tony Blair (L), Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (R) and Mr Qurei in Ramallah, December 2004. Reuters
    British PM Tony Blair (L), Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (R) and Mr Qurei in Ramallah, December 2004. Reuters
  • Palestinian president Yasser Arafat with Mr Qurei in Ramallah in July 2004, after the latter had withdrawn his resignation as prime minister. Reuters
    Palestinian president Yasser Arafat with Mr Qurei in Ramallah in July 2004, after the latter had withdrawn his resignation as prime minister. Reuters
  • Mr Arafat watches as Mr Qurei swears allegiance on the Quran in November 2003. Getty
    Mr Arafat watches as Mr Qurei swears allegiance on the Quran in November 2003. Getty
  • Mr Qurei sits prepares for a meeting at the Palestinian Legislative Council in September 2003 in Gaza city. Getty
    Mr Qurei sits prepares for a meeting at the Palestinian Legislative Council in September 2003 in Gaza city. Getty
  • Mr Arafat and Mr Qurei, September 2003. Getty
    Mr Arafat and Mr Qurei, September 2003. Getty

Former Palestinian PM and negotiator Ahmed Qurei dies aged 85


Ismaeel Naar
  • English
  • Arabic

Former Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qurei, also known as Abu Al Alaa, died on Wednesday. He was 85.

Sources close to Mr Qurei's family said he recently suffered from infections that required hospital treatment. He received intravenous antibiotics, but his condition deteriorated overnight.

“With great sadness, we mourn the death of the national leader, Ahmed Qurei, ‘Abu Al Alaa’, who passed away. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. May his soul RIP,” Palestinian Authority official Hussein Al Sheikh said on Twitter.

Mr Qurei held positions in the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the Fatah movement, serving on the PLO Executive Committee, and led the Palestinian Authority team that negotiated with Israel.

As a member of the Fatah Central Committee, Mr Qurei played an important role in the negotiations leading to the 1993 Oslo Accords.

From 1994 to 1996, he served as Minister of Economy and Trade and Minister of Industry in the first Palestinian government.

In 2000, he took part in negotiations at Camp David in the US with Ehud Barak, Israeli prime minister at the time.

Ahmed Qurei, bottom right, sits alongside senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and opposite Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, during peace talks in May 2008.
Ahmed Qurei, bottom right, sits alongside senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and opposite Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, during peace talks in May 2008.

Mr Qurei served as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority for two terms between 2003 and 2006.

In 2010, Israel revoked his diplomatic privileges after he suggested the PA would have to use violence if the peace talks failed.

Israeli police arrested him in 2013 at the entrance to the Maaleh Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described Mr Qurei as a "great patriotic fighter" before a ceremony to honour him at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.

"Abu Al Alaa spent his life as a solid fighter defending Palestine, its cause, its people and its independent national decision," Mr Abbas said.

Mr Qurei's body will be taken from Ramallah to his home village of Abu Dis, east of Jerusalem, where he will be laid to rest after the asr prayer.

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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

UAE central contracts

Full time contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid

Part time contracts

Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33

COMPANY PROFILE

Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2014

Number of employees: 36

Sector: Logistics

Raised: $2.5 million

Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

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Updated: February 23, 2023, 4:41 PM