'I'm Not Letting Him Fly Without a Handshake': Qatar’s Emir Welcomes Donald Trump Mid-Journey

Washington: US President Donald Trump is on his three-nation tour, where he is leaving for Malaysia to attend the ASEAN Summit. During the journey, his plane stopped for refueling at Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha, the capital of Qatar. On this occasion, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani welcomed Trump on Air Force One. Trump accepted this informal meeting very warmly.

One of the greatest leaders in the rich world

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim said with a smile, "As soon as I came to know that Trump's plane was stopping here, I decided not to let him take off until I met him." Trump also praised the emir, calling him "one of the greatest leaders in the world," and called the prime minister his "old friend." He said that together the two countries have established historic peace in the Middle East, which has never been seen before.

Not a dream, but a reality

Trump further stressed that the Middle East is now completely secure and this stability will last for a long time. Speaking to the media, he claimed, "The peace we have achieved in the Middle East is no longer a dream but a reality." On the Iran issue, Trump said that America has eliminated Iran's nuclear capability, which has paved the way for peace in the entire region. He said that destroying the nuclear power that Iran would develop in the next one or two months proved to be the real change.

The meeting reflects the strength of US-Qatar relations, where both countries are cooperating to maintain the stability of the Middle East. Trump will now reach Malaysia to participate in the ASEAN summit.