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United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, highlighting the Gulf state’s role as a key intermediary for Washington as it awaits Tehran’s response to a peace proposal.
The State Department said this, adding that the meeting took place on Saturday.
“The Secretary expressed appreciation for Qatar’s partnership on a range of issues,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement on the meeting between Rubio and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also Qatar’s Foreign Minister.
“The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed US support for Qatar’s defense, and the importance of continued close coordination to deter threats and promote stability and security across the Middle East.”
Earlier this month, the US approved the sale of approximately $1 billion of military equipment to Qatar and other regional allies.
