Trump Hails Qatar as ‘Great Ally’ During Brief Stop in Doha
Ashwini Gambo
Trump Praises Qatar’s Role in Middle East Stability
US President Donald Trump praised Qatar as a “great ally” on Saturday during a brief refueling stop in Doha while en route to Malaysia to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit.
Standing alongside Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Trump commended Qatar’s partnership and its role in advancing Middle East peace efforts.
“It is an honor. We have a great ally. He’s a great ally. They are a great ally,” Trump said. “You have a safe Middle East right there, and you’re gonna keep it that way for a long time.”
The president added that the United States and Qatar have “done a lot together, especially in the last year,” describing the Gulf state as a “very big factor” in achieving what he called “real peace” in the Middle East.
Comments on Gaza Ceasefire and “Everlasting Peace”
Asked about the ceasefire in Gaza, Trump expressed optimism that it would hold, attributing any potential breakdown to Hamas. “If it doesn’t hold, that would be Hamas. Hamas will not be hard to take care of very quickly,” he said.
Trump also confirmed that a stabilization force for Gaza was being formed and would be deployed “pretty quickly,” noting that leaders for the mission were being selected. “You’re going to have peace in the Middle East. This is real peace this has never happened before in 3,000 years,” he said, adding that Israel would “go in there very easily” if necessary.
Qatari Emir Highlights Cooperation on Peace Plans-
Following the meeting at Al-Udeid Air Base, Sheikh Tamim wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Pleased to meet my friend, US President Donald Trump, today on the occasion of his stop in our country … It was a good opportunity to discuss Middle East peace plans, follow up on efforts to consolidate the agreement to end the war in Gaza, and talk about the prospects for strategic cooperation between our two friendly nations.”
Trump’s Online Statements and Warning to Hamas-
After departing Qatar, Trump posted on Truth Social: “We have a very strong PEACE in the Middle East, and I believe it has a good chance of being EVERLASTING.”
He also issued a warning to Hamas: “Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action.”
Ceasefire Plan and Humanitarian Toll-
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, took effect on October 10. It includes the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the rebuilding of Gaza, and the creation of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.
Since the onset of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023, more than 68,500 Palestinians have been killed and 170,300 injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
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