Trump Calls Qatar Emir “Friend To The World” During Air Force One Meeting
Trump hosts the Qatar Emir on Air Force One, acknowledging his key role in the Gaza ceasefire before the Asia visit.
US President Donald Trump hosted Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani aboard Air Force One during a refuelling stop at Al Udeid Air Base on Saturday, expressing gratitude for their pivotal role in brokering a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The impromptu meeting occurred as Trump was en route to Asia for his first regional tour since reclaiming office in January, highlighting Qatar's growing influence as a mediator in Middle East conflicts. Trump described the Qatari leaders as a "big factor" in achieving what he called "incredible peace" in the region, specifically praising the prime minister as his "friend to the world" for facilitating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of ongoing tensions, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joining the talks fresh from a diplomatic mission to Israel aimed at bolstering the two-week-old truce. Qatar, alongside Egypt, the United States, and Turkey, serves as a guarantor of the ceasefire, which followed the devastating Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing war that has claimed thousands of lives. The emir had recently hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to address critical implementation issues, including the formation of a Gaza security force and the future of Hamas leadership, underscoring Doha's central position in these high-stakes negotiations.
Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East and home to thousands of American troops, provided a symbolic venue for the encounter, reinforcing the strategic US-Qatar alliance. This partnership has deepened since the 2023 conflict, with Doha leveraging its ties to both Palestinian militants and Western powers to bridge divides. Trump's Asia itinerary includes key summits and meetings with leaders like China's Xi Jinping, but the Gaza developments remain a focal point, as evidenced by the timing of the Qatari talks amid reports of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza targeting an Islamic Jihad operative—an ally of Hamas.
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In a post-meeting statement on Truth Social, Trump indicated close monitoring of the situation, stating, "Let's see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely." The episode illustrates the delicate balance of diplomacy in the post-ceasefire landscape, where Israel's right to self-defence persists alongside efforts to prevent escalation. As guarantors push for sustained de-escalation, Qatar's mediation continues to be viewed as indispensable, potentially shaping the trajectory of regional stability in the coming days.
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