Retired British military official, Major General Arthur Denaro, CBE DL, has lauded the Qatari Armed Forces (QAF), under the leadership and the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, saying that it is working hard to be the best of their kind.
Denaro was the Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and also the Middle East Adviser to the United Kingdom’s (UK) Ministry of Defence for six years, until 2002.
Speaking to Gulf Times in connection with the visit of His Highness the Amir to the UK Friday, Denaro underscored the deep-rooted ties between Qatar and the UK in a number of areas, particularly in the field of defence and security.
Citing the British ambassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma’s earlier statement, he said the relationship between the two countries, especially their armed forces, “is growing into very long term lasting friendships.”
“That is why long-term relationships are so important, built on real commitments by both sides to helping each other,” Denaro said, adding the UK has been supporting Qatar’s armed forces in many aspects for many years.
“We need to be constantly vigilant and I believe that is what QAF is, under His Highness the Amir’s leadership and HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah’s drive,” he added.
“I’d like to think that in this uncertain world, we are in safe hands, collaborating is the key to our joint safety,” and they will discuss this at the highest level in Number 10 Downing Street,” Denaro said.
“This visit is so important, certainly to the UK. I’d like to think His Highness the Amir considers this important also because Qatar needs friends in these difficult times, as does Great Britain. I’d like to think His Highness regards the UK as an ally supportive to Qatar,” he said.
Denaro noted that close co-operation and support between Qatar and the UK are taking place as the two countries both work closely in the fight against terrorism.
“Over the years, the UK has supported Qatar and Qatar has remained close to the UK,” he stressed.
Denaro said Qatar and the UK will continue to collaborate in the field of defence and security, as well as in the fight against terrorism, as he underlined the importance of His Highness the Amir’s visit to the UK and his meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He said the reputation of the region where he served for several years has been diminished by this blockade.
“Over the years I have visited the region frequently and both as Middle East Adviser to our Secretary of State, which I did for six years, and since I retired,” Denaro said.
“We were all striving to get the GCC to work closely together militarily and to see those efforts all blown apart has been very dismaying,” he stressed.
Speaking to Gulf Times in connection with the visit of His Highness the Amir to the UK Friday, Denaro underscored the deep-rooted ties between Qatar and the UK in a number of areas, particularly in the field of defence and security.
Citing the British ambassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma’s earlier statement, he said the relationship between the two countries, especially their armed forces, “is growing into very long term lasting friendships.”
“That is why long-term relationships are so important, built on real commitments by both sides to helping each other,” Denaro said, adding the UK has been supporting Qatar’s armed forces in many aspects for many years.
“We need to be constantly vigilant and I believe that is what QAF is, under His Highness the Amir’s leadership and HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah’s drive,” he added.
“I’d like to think that in this uncertain world, we are in safe hands, collaborating is the key to our joint safety,” and they will discuss this at the highest level in Number 10 Downing Street,” Denaro said.
“This visit is so important, certainly to the UK. I’d like to think His Highness the Amir considers this important also because Qatar needs friends in these difficult times, as does Great Britain. I’d like to think His Highness regards the UK as an ally supportive to Qatar,” he said.
Denaro noted that close co-operation and support between Qatar and the UK are taking place as the two countries both work closely in the fight against terrorism.
“Over the years, the UK has supported Qatar and Qatar has remained close to the UK,” he stressed.
Denaro said Qatar and the UK will continue to collaborate in the field of defence and security, as well as in the fight against terrorism, as he underlined the importance of His Highness the Amir’s visit to the UK and his meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
He said the reputation of the region where he served for several years has been diminished by this blockade.
“Over the years I have visited the region frequently and both as Middle East Adviser to our Secretary of State, which I did for six years, and since I retired,” Denaro said.
“We were all striving to get the GCC to work closely together militarily and to see those efforts all blown apart has been very dismaying,” he stressed.
