Qatar: U.S. nearing defence deal with Doha after Israeli attack

Qatar and the U.S. are finalising an enhanced defence cooperation agreement, following Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha last week.

Transcript

00:00Qatar and the US are finalising an enhanced defence cooperation agreement

00:05following Israel's strike on Hamas political leaders in Doha last week.

00:09US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the plan while travelling from Tel Aviv to Doha.

00:15He also urged Qatar to continue mediating between Israel and Hamas,

00:19calling it the most likely broker of a ceasefire in Gaza.

00:23The strike was seen as particularly sensitive,

00:26given Qatar's close ties with Washington and its role as host of the largest US military base in the region.

00:33Qatar, which has been leading ceasefire talks alongside Egypt for nearly two years,

00:39has said it will not be deterred from its role.

00:42During a visit in May, President Donald Trump had assured Qatar that the US would protect it if attacked.

00:49He said he was not informed in advance about the Israeli strike by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

00:54Trump repeated those assurances in New York on Friday

00:58during a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Thani.