The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, met during his two-day visit to Washington, US Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esber at the Pentagon, where he said his country will continue to work with the United States to ease tension in the region.
"Unfortunately, we have been living for years and years of difficult times and we have our differences in the region, but I believe that by working together and closely we can find the appropriate means and ways to reduce tensions in the region," Sheikh Tamim said during the meeting on Monday.
For his part, Esper stressed that the base of the air host to the US forces in Qatar is still strategic and vital, and expressed the United States appreciation of the Qatari support for these forces.
Regional tension
"Our relationship should remain strong in order to meet all the current challenges to stability in the Middle East, and we are grateful for Qatar's efforts to help end the current tension," he said.
The Emir of Qatar began his visit to Washington on Monday, where he is in talks with a number of US officials, and is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The US Embassy in Doha, William Grant, said days ago that the visit of the Emir of Qatar to Washington is of great importance and said that the US-Qatari consultations during the visit will address issues related to the Iranian file and the blockade of Qatar.
The White House announced at the beginning of June this visit, and then said it is based on the long partnership between the United States and Qatar, and it will strengthen the security relations and economic "deep" between the two countries.
It is noteworthy that Sheikh Tamim visited Washington in April 2018 and met at the White House President Trump, who then confirmed that his country's relations are going well with Doha.