DOHA: Qatar and the US have reasserted their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and work together to resolve the burning issues in the Middle East.
The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during his meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House discussed a number of issues concerning the region, especially terrorism, as well as bilateral relations.
“We are all concerned on what’s going on in our region… we are concerned, as well, about the terrorist groups in our region. I think we all share the same view on the reason why those terrorist groups are growing in our region…To solve this problem, we have to make sure that the reason why this happened doesn’t happen again,” said the Emir in a statement issued after the meeting.
Speaking earlier, Obama stressed the strong security relations between Qatar and the US and the “extraordinary set of ties” that are commercial, educational, scientific and technological.
“We’ve had a wide-ranging conversation on a host of regional issues. Qatar is a strong partner in our coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL. And I expressed my appreciation to His Highness for the work that they’ve done in coordinating with other members of this coalition.” said Obama.
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Obama said Qatar and the US will continue to support the moderate opposition in Syria since both countries believe that “it will not be possible to fully stabilise that country until Assad, who has lost legitimacy in the country, is transitioned out”.
The leaders also discussed the turmoil in Libya and Yemen and the Iranian nuclear issue.
Obama said, “I gave the Emir an update and assured him that our goal here is to be able to verify that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and that we will continue to press Iran on some of its other actions in the region that often have a destabilising effect, recognising, however, that we would greatly prefer to be able to resolve many of these issues diplomatically. And I know that Doha shares the same view.
“Qatar is an extraordinary example of that, partly because it’s been blessed with natural resources, but also because it’s made good decisions about how to develop its economy. And hopefully that kind of prosperity can be spread more widely in the years to come, and I look forward to being a partner with Qatar in making that happen,” he added.
The Emir, in his statement, highlighted the importance of the relationship between Qatar and the US, and how to develop strategic relations.
The Emir said, “We mentioned about the situation in Palestine, and about the peace process and what is the best for Palestine. And it is an important subject in the Middle East, and we have to find a solution for Palestine. And I’m happy to learn and to hear from you, President, that you are committed to find this peace process in Palestine.”
The Emir directed to provide $10,000 each to all Qatari students and patients in the US, Al Sharq repors.
The Peninsula
