Top US military commander meets Qatar’s emir in Doha

The commander of the US Central Command, Gen Kenneth McKenzie and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani met in Doha on Wednesday. The two officials have discussed the latest developments, including the regional situation and strategic relations.

The two nations, USA and Qatar, continues their cooperation and further perspectives during the talks in Doha. According to the statement by the emir’s office, Gen McKenzie and emir Al-Thani had a meeting.

For the White House, Qatar remains the strategic partner in the Middle East. The country hosts some 13,000 US troops in Al-Udeid Airbase, in the outskirts of Doha. The base is used as a central command for operations against the ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Last month, President Joe Biden indicated plans to nominate Qatar as a “major non-NATO ally” of the United States.

“I am notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the importance of our relationship,” Biden emphasized and added he thinks it’s long overdue.

The Gulf nation has been instrumental in the evacuation of foreign nationals and Afghan refugees from Afghanistan since the withdrawal of US forces in August last year, MEMO reports.