US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order vowing to use all measures including US military action to defend Qatar.
The text of the order, available on the White House’s Web site and dated Monday, appears to be another measure by Trump to assure Qatar following Israel’s surprise attack on the country targeting Hamas leaders.
The order cites the “close cooperation” and “shared interest” of the US and Qatar, vowing to “guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar against external attack.”
Photo: AP
“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty or critical infrastructure of the state of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” the order says.
“In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military — to defend the interests of the United States and of the state of Qatar and to restore peace and stability,” it says.
The order apparently came during a visit to Washington on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump organized a call by Netanyahu to Qatar during the visit in which Netanyahu “expressed his deep regret” over the strike that killed six people, including a member of the Qatari security forces, the White House said.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the US pledge as “an important step in strengthening the two countries’ close defense partnership.”
Trump also spoke on the telephone later on Wednesday with Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The White House did not release details about the call, although Qatar later said the two men spoke about Doha’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
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