US-Qatar vows to strengthen strategic partnership

F.P. Report

WASHINGTON: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.  Together with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Secretary Austin thanked His Highness Al Thani for Qatar’s extraordinary support in facilitating the safe transit of U.S. citizens and Afghans and other individuals at risk from Afghanistan. 

They also affirmed the strength of the U.S.-Qatar strategic partnership and discussed a range of other issues related to regional security and stability.  

On September 7, Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken met with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, Qatar.  Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken thanked the two leaders for the wide range of support Qatar provided during airlift operations, as well as for Qatar’s hospitality in continuing to host U.S. forces in Qatar.

In both meetings, Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken underscored U.S. commitment to a strong and enduring partnership with Qatar and their desire to continue close coordination on initiatives to advance regional peace and stability.

Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken also met together with U.S. service members, State department personnel and interagency staff to thank them for their extraordinary efforts to move U.S. citizens, Allies, partners and at-risk Afghans out of harm’s way.  They also had the opportunity to meet with Afghan evacuees who supported U.S. government operations in Afghanistan and offered their gratitude for the support these individuals provided the U.S. government.