Qatar's Emir meets Trump, Washington officials

World Tuesday 09/July/2019 17:45 PM
By: Times News Service
Qatar's Emir meets Trump, Washington officials

Washington: The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday.

In a tweet, Sheikh Tamim said, "Thank you @realDonaldTrump and @stevenmnuchin1 for the wonderful banquet at the historic Cash Room at the Treasury Building.

"The US and Qatar are partners, allies, and friends. We look forward to continue that friendship, for the prosperity and happiness of our two peoples."

Sheikh Tamim later visited the Pentagon, where he was welcomed by Acting Defence Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and given an arrival salute by the armed forces.

"The United States' relationship with Qatar is stronger than ever," Esper said as he opened discussions with Qatar's ruler. He noted that Al Udeid Air Base is a strategic installation in the country. Qatar hosts the Combined Air Operations Center for the region there, and US units routinely fly missions from the base.

Esper thanked Qatar's leader for his support to American service members stationed in the country. "Qatar's long-standing willingness to host United States forces is emblematic of the close ties between our two countries," he said.