HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met at his office in Al Bahr Palace on Saturday with HE US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

During the meeting, they reviewed the relations between the two friendly countries in various fields, including political, strategic and military, and means to strengthening them so as to achieve more cooperation and serve the interests of both sides.

Talks during the meeting also covered the latest regional and international developments, mainly the Palestinian and the Syrian issues, as well as the situation in Yemen and Libya.

The two sides discussed the international efforts to combat terrorism, violence and extremism.

The visit to Doha is part of a Mideast tour which has included stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel. Mattis also visited Djibouti on Sunday.

On 27 March 2017, Qatar’s Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah met in Washington with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

The meeting reviewed issues of mutual interest between the two friendly countries and means of boosting and developing them, particularly in the military affairs.

Qatar hosts the largest US air base in the Middle East. The oil-rich Gulf state is home to the Al-Udeid air base which houses around 10,000 US troops.

Washington and Qatar have close economic ties, with national carrier Qatar Airways announcing in October the acquisition of up to 100 Boeing aircraft worth $18.6 billion.

Photo: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis meets with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Sea Palace in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2017. (DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)