Trump executive order extends security guarantees to Qatar

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump issued an executive order which says “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”.

This major development comes after Israel last month carried out the Doha attack and Trump presented the Gaza peace plan with a hope that he would get the Nobel Peace Prize.

Read more: Netanyahu accepts Gaza peace plan, Trump says Pakistan backs it

In his latest executive order, Trump acknowledged “close cooperation, shared interests, and the close relationship between our armed forces” and provided security guarantees “in light of the continuing threats to the State of Qatar posed by foreign aggression”.

Trump went on to say that “Qatar has hosted United States forces, enabled critical security operations, and stood as a steadfast ally in pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity, both in the Middle East and abroad.

He also mentioned Qatar’s role “as a mediator that has assisted the United States’ attempts to resolve significant regional and global conflicts”.

ALL LAWFUL AND APPROPRIATE MEASURES

In this respect, Trump elaborated how the United States would support the oil-and-gas rich Gulf State which houses the fourth largest US military base outside the country and the largest in Middle East.

He promised “to 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” in case of any attack.

Meanwhile, Trump’s decision means Qatar is now the second Gulf State to get a defence pact within weeks after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA).

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.