FILE -- Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani talks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 16, 2018. (REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski) As Qatar’s leader – Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – prepares for a White House meeting with President Trump on Tuesday, Qatar’s lobbyists are warning Congress not to pass a sanctions bill that targets the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and its supporters, including Qatar. Yet despite their lobbying campaign against the bill, the Qataris continue to insist they do not support Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip with an iron fist. The bill in Congress that the Qataris oppose, titled the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act, won unanimous approval in the House Foreign Affairs Committee in November. Qatar is working hard to prevent a vote in the full House because Qatari officials know the bill could have major consequences for the emirate if it became law. … [Read more...] about Trump should confront Qatar on its support for Hamas in upcoming White House meeting
Qatar
Emir of Qatar to visit White House next week
WASHINGTON (AP) — The emir of Qatar (KUH'-tur) will be meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House next week.White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will be meeting with Trump on April 10.She says Trump looks forward to discussing ways to strengthen ties between the two countries and "advance our common security and economic priorities."Qatar has been under siege since early June, when the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and its other neighbors severed ties over claims the small, gas-rich monarchy was funding terrorism, disrupting Gulf unity and fomenting opposition across the region. Qatar has denied the charges.A top fundraiser for Trump also filed a lawsuit last month against Qatar and lobbyists working for the state, alleging they hacked his and his wife's emails as part of the ongoing dispute. … [Read more...] about Emir of Qatar to visit White House next week
Qatar Emir to Meet Trump on April 10
CAIRO (Reuters) – Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on April 10 in Washington, the state news agency QNA reported on late Thursday. Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on March 21 and his meeting with Qatari Emir will be followed by a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. The White House said Trump would meet al-Thani to discuss ways to advance “common security and economic priorities” between the United States and Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut off travel and trade ties with Qatar last June, accusing it of backing their archrival, Iran, and supporting terrorism. Qatar has denied the charges and has said the boycott was an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty and rein in its support for reform. (Reporting by Mohamed El-Sherif; Editing by Toni Reinhold) … [Read more...] about Qatar Emir to Meet Trump on April 10
Trump fundraiser suffers setback in suit against Qatar over emails
(Reuters) - A U.S. District Court judge in California refused to issue an order blocking Qatar and one of its lobbyists from disseminating emails and other documents that top Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy has alleged in a lawsuit were stolen in a hack of his and his wife’s computers. Broidy filed the lawsuit in a Los Angeles federal court last month, accusing Qatar of stealing and leaking emails to reporters in retribution for Broidy’s attempts to influence the Trump administration in favor of regional rivals of Qatar. In a court filing on Wednesday U.S. District Judge John Walter rejected Broidy’s applications for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to restrict Qatar and any of its agents from hacking or disseminating his emails and computer files, citing a lack of evidence that Qatar was behind the hack. Qatar has denied involvement in any hacking. So has Nicolas Muzin, a … [Read more...] about Trump fundraiser suffers setback in suit against Qatar over emails
Qatar announces €5bn order for warships from Italy
Qatar has signed an order for seven warships from Italy. File photo: Sophie_James/ Deposit Photos Qatar announced on Wednesday it had placed an order with Italy for seven warships in the midst of a nearly two-month diplomatic crisis with neighbouring Saudi Arabia and its allies. "We have signed a contract on behalf of the Qatari navy to acquire seven warships from Italy for €5 billion ($5.9 billion)," Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said at a joint news conference with his visiting Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano. Saudi Arabia and its allies including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar on June 5th, accusing Doha of backing extremist groups and being too close to Riyadh's arch-rival Iran. It follows the signing of a preliminary contract in June 2016 for the deal between the Italian group Fincantieri and Qatar for four corvettes, an amphibious vessel and two patrol boats. In June this year, the United … [Read more...] about Qatar announces €5bn order for warships from Italy