Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby has stressed the importance of relations between Qatar and the United States, which he said were strengthened by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's recent visit to Washington, where the Amir met with US President Joe Biden, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and several prominent military officials.
At a press briefing , Kirby said the visit affirmed the strength of the US-Qatar Defence Partnership which serves as a cornerstone of the US strategic bilateral relationship.
The secretary reiterated his heartfelt gratitude to the Amir's "indispensable, and – and, quite frankly, ongoing support to our efforts to continue to get Americans and our Afghan allies out of Afghanistan". He said the Amir and the Defence Secretary discussed shared regional security interests, de-escalating tensions in the region and countering terrorism.
Kirby said Secretary Austin shared his vision for integrated deterrence, emphasising the importance of multilateral efforts and integrated operations with partners like Qatar, to address threats confronting the region.
Answering a question on the importance of Biden's announcement that he would notify the Congress about his intent to designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, Kirby said it opened up a whole new range of opportunities of defence relationships. "I mean, not just with the United States bilaterally, but with other allies.... But it does open up a full new range of opportunities, exercises, operations, and, you know, perhaps the application of acquisition of capabilities as well. So, it's, I mean, the Secretary was honoured and pleased to be able to make that pledge."
Kirby said that the US Department of Defence affirms that the US and Qatar have a long-term and multifaceted strategic security partnership based on a joint commitment to bring peace and stability in the region, given that the Qatari-US relation is stronger than ever.
The Pentagon press secretary conveyed Austin's sincere and deep gratitude to the Amir for Qatar's great efforts and uninterrupted and continuous support for the developments in the Afghan scene, as well as the pivotal role Doha played in supporting means to contain and reduce tensions in the region, and deescalate potential regional threats in a way that preserves American strategic interests.
Kirby stressed that Qatar took multiple efforts and participated in integrated operations to confront threats in the region. The important visit of the Amir to Washington was an opportunity to renew the long-term US commitment to continue security and strategic cooperation with the friendly State of Qatar, he added.
The Pentagon press secretary pointed out that the US Department of Defence thanked the Amir for Qatar's hosting of the Al Udeid military base and providing it with logistics services.
(Inputs from QNA)
Kirby said Secretary Austin shared his vision for integrated deterrence, emphasising the importance of multilateral efforts and integrated operations with partners like Qatar, to address threats confronting the region.
| Answering a question on the importance of Biden's announcement that he would notify the Congress about his intent to designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, Kirby said it opened up a whole new range of opportunities of defence relationships. |
Kirby said that the US Department of Defence affirms that the US and Qatar have a long-term and multifaceted strategic security partnership based on a joint commitment to bring peace and stability in the region, given that the Qatari-US relation is stronger than ever.
The Pentagon press secretary conveyed Austin's sincere and deep gratitude to the Amir for Qatar's great efforts and uninterrupted and continuous support for the developments in the Afghan scene, as well as the pivotal role Doha played in supporting means to contain and reduce tensions in the region, and deescalate potential regional threats in a way that preserves American strategic interests.
Kirby stressed that Qatar took multiple efforts and participated in integrated operations to confront threats in the region. The important visit of the Amir to Washington was an opportunity to renew the long-term US commitment to continue security and strategic cooperation with the friendly State of Qatar, he added.
The Pentagon press secretary pointed out that the US Department of Defence thanked the Amir for Qatar's hosting of the Al Udeid military base and providing it with logistics services.
(Inputs from QNA)