Qatar says Gulf cannot rely on U.S. alone for security

Qatar says Gulf nations must strengthen their own security capabilities despite alliances with the U.S.

Transcript

00:00Qatar says the Iran war has shown that Gulf countries should not only depend on the United States for their

00:06security.

00:07Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Majid Al Ansari says having greater self-sufficiency in defence is now the only way forward for

00:16the region.

00:20Speaking at a panel in Abu Dhabi, Ansari said having international forces in the region and a strategic alliance with

00:26the US is very important but is not enough.

00:30His comments come as Gulf states seek new security arrangements after six months of conflict between the US and Iran.

00:37Saudi Arabia signed a joint defence agreement with Turkey and Pakistan last month that treats an attack on one country

00:44as an attack on all three.

00:46Despite these moves, Gulf states are not turning away from Washington and continue to maintain strong defence ties with the

00:52United States.

00:53Saudi Arabia recently received US approval for a potential weapons purchase worth about $5 billion.

01:00Qatar also hosts Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East.

01:05The country has faced heavy Iranian attacks during the war, with its energy infrastructure among the main targets.