The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
President Obama discusses the important international issues on which the United States and Qatar have been working together.
On Thursday, President Obama hosted Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar for a meeting in the Oval Office. The two leaders discussed a host of issues that affect both countries, including continued diplomatic and military cooperation in Libya, promoting a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and global food security.
In addition to our efforts in Libya, we have a strong relationship between our two countries. It is an economic relationship. It is a military relationship. It is a cultural relationship. And obviously, Qatar has done very well under His Highness's leadership, but his influence extends beyond his borders. And so we’ve had discussions about how we can continue to promote democracy, human rights, increased freedom and reform throughout the Middle East.
Qatar's location in the Persian Gulf has made it an important ally in a region vital to U.S. economic and security interests. As democracies continue to grow and flourish throughout the Arab world, working with nations like Qatar will become ever more important.
President Barack Obama holds a bilateral meeting with Amir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar in the Oval Office, April 14, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
