US President Donald Trump met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani aboard Air Force One during a refuelling stop at Al Udeid Air Base.
The meeting marked a rare summit aboard the US President’s plane, highlighting the strategic importance of Qatar’s role in mediating the Gaza peace deal.
Trump said an international stabilisation force for Gaza was forming, with Qatar pledging to contribute troops.
The force will support disarming Hamas and policing Gaza until a Palestinian police force assumes control.
Trump thanked Qatar’s leaders for their mediation, emphasising their ‘very big factor’ in achieving peace.
Historic and Unusual Summit
The Emir personally greeted Trump at Al Udeid Air Base, underscoring the meeting’s significance.
Trump remarked on the unusual nature of the summit, with the Emir confirming it was a first-of-its-kind encounter.
The Air Force One meeting exemplifies the urgency and high-level engagement required to maintain the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
The Hamas-Israel negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, culminated this month in a 20-point peace deal proposed by Trump.
The deal includes the release of hostages by Hamas, the return of bodies, and prisoner exchanges by Israel.
While the first phases are nearly complete, disarming Hamas remains a key challenge, where the Qatari troops’ participation is critical.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that multiple countries expressed interest in supporting Gaza stabilisation through personnel or financial means, contingent on international mandates such as a United Nations Security Council resolution.
This ensures compliance with domestic legal requirements for troop deployment.
Trump’s Asia Trip and Diplomatic Agenda
Trump’s trip includes participation in the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, and a visit to Japan.
While trade, tariffs, and investments are primary agendas, a high-profile meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping in South Korea is expected to dominate politically.
The talks aim to address China’s export restrictions on rare earth minerals, agricultural boycotts, and US technology controls.
The Air Force One summit reflects the US administration’s strategic focus on Middle East peace, regional stabilisation, and broader diplomatic engagement in Asia.
Qatar’s commitment to the international stabilisation force provides crucial support for sustaining the Gaza ceasefire and advancing long-term peace efforts.
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