HIBAPRESS
U.S. President Donald Trump met today, Saturday, on the presidential plane, with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, to discuss efforts to cease the fire in the Gaza Strip, during a technical stop in Qatar on his way to Malaysia.
The Emir of Qatar and the Prime Minister boarded the U.S. President's plane to conduct these talks, as part of his Asian tour that begins in Malaysia. Trump considered that the Qatari leaders played a crucial role in the peace process in the Middle East, describing Qatar as "a great ally of the United States."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, returning from a visit to Israel, joined the talks as part of Washington's diplomatic efforts to stabilize the fragile ceasefire in Gaza since October 10. Trump explained that the stabilization efforts in the Strip are making progress, and that an international force will be deployed soon in Gaza, indicating the need for this peace to be sustainable.
Trump pointed out Qatar's readiness to contribute peacekeeping forces if needed, praising its role and describing it as "a major ally and a key player in the stability of the region." Earlier, Secretary of State Rubio mentioned that Washington is receiving proposals regarding the issuance of a UN resolution or an international agreement to authorize a multinational force in Gaza, and that this matter will be discussed in Qatar on Sunday.
It is worth mentioning that Trump is traveling to Asia for the first time since taking office in January, where he is scheduled to hold two regional summits and meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders.
