Latest news with #TamimBinHamad
BreakingNews.ie
17-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Arab leaders promise to work on Gaza reconstruction and press for ceasefire
Arab leaders meeting at an annual summit in Baghdad have said they are trying to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and promised to contribute to the reconstruction of the territory once the war stops. In March, an emergency Arab League summit in Cairo endorsed a plan for Gaza's reconstruction without displacing its roughly two million residents. Advertisement The summit in Baghdad was attended by Arab leaders including Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Among the guests were Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and the flow of aid into the besieged territory. Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the summit (AP( He said that the UN rejects any 'forced displacement' of Palestinians. Saturday's summit comes two months after Israel ended a ceasefire reached with the Hamas militant group in January. Advertisement In recent days, Israel has launched widespread attacks in Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a further escalation to pursue his aim of destroying Hamas. 'This genocide has reached levels of ugliness not seen in all conflicts throughout history,' Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a speech that called for allowing aid to flow into Gaza. Mr al-Sudani added that Iraq will work on setting up an Arab fund for the reconstruction of the region in which Baghdad will pay 20 million dollars (£15 million) for Gaza and a similar amount for Lebanon. Mr El-Sisi said that Egypt, in coordination with Qatar and the US, is 'exerting intense efforts to reach a ceasefire' in Gaza, adding that the efforts led to the release of Israel-American hostage Edan Alexander. Advertisement Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed the gathering in the Iraqi capital (AP) He said that Egypt plans to hold an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza 'once the aggression stops'. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Hamas to abandon power in Gaza and along with other militant groups to hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas' Western-backed Palestinian Authority in 2007, and reconciliation attempts between the rivals have repeatedly failed. The Baghdad meeting was upstaged by US President Donald Trump's tour in the region earlier in the week. Advertisement Mr Trump's visit did not usher in a deal for a new ceasefire in Gaza as many had hoped, but he grabbed headlines by meeting with new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa – who had once fought against US forces in Iraq – and promising to remove US sanctions imposed on Syria. Mr al-Sharaa did not attend the summit in Baghdad, where Syria's delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. Iraqi Shia militias and political factions are wary of Mr al-Sharaa's past as a Sunni militant and had pushed back against his invitation to the summit. During Syria's conflict that began in March 2011, several Iraqi Shia militias fought alongside the forces of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, making al-Sharaa today a particularly sensitive figure for them. Advertisement An Iraqi official said that Iran's Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the summit and 'conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations' to reach a nuclear deal and lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
From castles to camels: A look inside the jaw-dropping displays by Middle Eastern leaders to woo Trump
The leaders of the Middle Eastern countries that President Donald Trump is visiting this week have discovered the keys to the American leader's heart - grand displays and glitzy architecture. Trump was pumped for the pomp put on display in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia as he leaves for the United Arab Emirates mid-day Thursday. He was hosted by both leaders in a series of palaces and other grand buildings that met his love of the ostentatious. On Wednesday night, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a state dinner for Trump at the opulent Lusail Palace. There were camels on hand - and eaten by guests - and Arabian horses leading the Beast, the presidential limo, to the palace's doors. Once Trump got out of his vehicle, he was immediately treated to a performance by sword-dancers. While signing business and defense agreements early Wednesday evening alongside the emir, the 78-year-old former real estate developer stopped and asked those in the room to take in its architecture. 'This room is the real deal. That's called white marble. It's very hard to buy, believe me, I know very well, because you try to buy it and you can't buy it,' Trump said. 'And you just take a look at what you have here. It's been incredible - what you've been able to build as a nation.' The Qatari state visit was taking place in the Amiri Diwan, the official administrative offices of the Emir, which started out as an 18th Century fort. Trump arrived to the Amiri Diwan Wednesday afternoon to great fanfare. His motorcade was led by two Qatarified Cybertrucks - a nod to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's role in Trumpworld. The billionaire DOGE leader had showed up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the first day of Trump's trip. As the Beast arrived at the Amiri Diwan, Trump was able to take in dozens of camels. There were riders on Arabian horses stationed outside for him as well - but the camels were new, as there were Arabian horses for Trump the day before in Saudi. 'We appreciate those camels. I haven't seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting,' the president told the emir during their initial sit-down. He complimented the marble at this point too. 'As a construction person I'm seeing perfect marble. This is what they call - perfecto,' Trump said. President Donald Trump complimented the camels that Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani used for both his arrival ceremony and that lined the state ahead of Wednesday night's state dinner The night before, Trump was treated to a tour of Diriyah - what is being touted as Saudi Arabia's 'premier lifestyle destination' - a giga-project built adjacent to the At-Turaif a UNESCO World Heritage that served as the first home for Saudi's still-ruling royal family, the House of Saud. Development of the site will include 40 hotels and more than 300 residential units. Trump's own company, the Trump Organization, is developing projects in all three of the countries that he's visiting, with one property in the UAE already open and another six planned. At Diriyah, the president was greeted by gowned chanters and drummers as the ancient Salwa Palace was illuminated in the background. At every stop in Saudi, Trump was personally greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, or 'MBS.' The two chatted and smiled, posing for photographers and then toured a model of the giga-project with their entourage, which in Trump's case included Elon Musk and several Cabinet secretaries. Then MBS personally drove Trump around the larger site in a golf cart. This came after the Saudis treated Trump to two official welcome ceremonies - one at the Royal Terminal of the King Khalid International Airport - where only royal family members and diplomatic guests have access - and again at the Royal Court. The Saudi crown prince rolled out a lavender carpet - the color of royalty - for President Donald Trump when he arrived in Riyadh first thing Tuesday morning Lavender carpets - the color of royalty - were rolled out at each locale. A military guard lined the carpets at the airport, while the Beast was accompanied by Arabian horses to the Royal Court. Once inside, Trump participated in a coffee ceremony and held several meetings with MBS and Saudi and U.S. business leaders in giant ornate ballrooms. The president delivered foreign policy remarks Tuesday afternoon at another ornate location - the King Adbul Aziz International Conference Center - greeting guests with a domed entryway, far more opulent than the one in the U.S. Capitol, and featuring an enormous chandelier. Trump stayed in a grand locale too - but one with a colorful past. He stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, which MBS used to jail purged Saudi officials and family members in 2017 consolidate power.
Washington Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Live updates: Trump to visit U.S. military base in Qatar during Middle East trip
President Donald Trump's international trip, during which he has continued to rewrite the U.S. approach to the Middle East, continues Thursday with a final event in Qatar. He will visit with U.S. troops and give a speech at Al Udeid Air Base in the southwest part of the country — an important hub for the U.S. military in recent decades. Trump is expected to depart for Abu Dhabi following his speech. President Donald Trump said Wednesday during a state dinner in Qatar that he hopes the country will help the United States calm tensions with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. 'I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,' Trump said, speaking alongside Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. 'It's a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing.' DOHA, Qatar — President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak to U.S. troops Thursday at a military base in Qatar, a major hub for U.S. operations in a region where Trump has pledged to reduce military entanglements.
The National
15-05-2025
- Business
- The National
White House rules out Trump visit to Turkey after Abu Dhabi
May 13: Meetings in Riyadh May 14: Leaves Riyadh and travels to Doha May 15: Departs Doha and travels to Abu Dhabi May 16: Leaves Abu Dhabi Riyadh Mr Trump began his landmark Gulf tour in Riyadh, where he was received by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. His schedule includes a bilateral meeting with the crown prince, participation in a US-Saudi investment forum at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Centre, and a speech at the same venue. Mr Trump is also expected to tour a major construction site and the historic Diriyah district, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The following day, he will greet US embassy personnel, take part in a GCC leaders' summit and join them for a family photo before departing for Qatar. Doha Upon arrival in Qatar, Mr Trump will be received by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for an official welcome and bilateral meeting, followed by a state dinner at Lusail Palace. The next morning, his agenda includes a breakfast with Qatari and US business leaders and a visit to Al Udeid Air Base, where he will receive a military briefing and meet with American troops. The Qatar stop is expected to highlight both economic cooperation and defense ties before Trump heads to the final leg of his tour in the UAE. Abu Dhabi In the UAE capital, President Trump will tour the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before attending a formal greeting, bilateral talks and a state dinner hosted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed at Qasr Al Watan. On Friday, he is scheduled to meet US embassy staff, participate in a US-UAE business event and visit the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, a symbol of interfaith dialogue. He will then depart for Washington, DC, on Friday. President Donald Trump upended more than a decade of US foreign policy on Syria when he said he would lift sanctions against Damascus, a game-changing move that dramatically alters the nation's economic and diplomatic position. The Trump administration had until now insisted that any sanctions relief would be determined by the pace of reforms in Syria, after the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham rebel group overthrew the regime of Bashar Al Assad in December. But Mr Trump cast that deliberative process aside as he visited Saudi Arabia, saying he would lift all sanctions at the request of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and that it is now Syria's 'time to shine'. 'Oh, what I do for the Crown Prince,' Mr Trump said at Tuesday's US-Saudi Investment Forum, where delegates loudly applauded his announcement. He also said he made the decision after discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government has pushed for the sanctions to be lifted. Further underscoring Mr Trump's new approach, he said he planned to meet Syrian leader Ahmad Al Shara in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The meeting is especially remarkable given that Mr Al Shara remains the member of a US-designated terrorist organisation because of past ties to Al Qaeda. The White House and State Department provided no time for when sanctions would be lifted. The US has a complex mix of sanctions, terrorist designations and export controls against Syria aimed at choking off its banking, export and other sectors during the country's civil war, although some of the oldest measures predate the outbreak of violence in 2011. Aaron Zelin, the Gloria and Ken Levy Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, predicted there would be some quick sanction cuts, allowing for an infusion of cash and investments, most likely from Gulf states. 'There still remains a lot of questions, even if Trump made this declarative statement,' Mr Zelin told The National. He described the developments as a 'net positive' for Syria, in a sentiment echoed widely. Syrians took to the streets and celebrated into the night in Damascus and elsewhere after Mr Trump's announcement. Read more
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
From glitzy castles to marching camels: A look inside the jaw-dropping displays by Middle Eastern leaders to woo Trump including opulent architecture and sword-wielding surprises
The leaders of the Middle Eastern countries that President Donald Trump is visiting this week have discovered the keys to the American leader's heart - grand displays and glitzy architecture. Trump was pumped for the pomp put on display in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia as he leaves for the United Arab Emirates mid-day Thursday. He was hosted by both leaders in a series of palaces and other grand buildings that met his love of the ostentatious. On Wednesday night, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a state dinner for Trump at the opulent Lusail Palace. There were camels on hand, and Arabian horses - leading the Beast, the presidential limo, to the palace's doors. Once Trump got out of his vehicle, he was immediately treated to a performance by sword-dancers. While signing business and defense agreements early Wednesday evening alongside the emir, the 78-year-old former real estate developer stopped and asked those in the room to take in its architecture. 'This room is the real deal. That's called white marble. It's very hard to buy, believe me, I know very well, because you try to buy it and you can't buy it,' Trump said. 'And you just take a look at what you have here. It's been incredible - what you've been able to build as a nation.' The Qatari state visit was taking place in the Amiri Diwan, the official administrative offices of the Emir, which started out as an 18th Century fort. Trump arrived to the Amiri Diwan Wednesday afternoon to great fanfare. His motorcade was led by two Qatarified Cybertrucks - a nod to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's role in Trumpworld. The billionaire DOGE leader had showed up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the first day of Trump's trip. As the Beast arrived at the Amiri Diwan, Trump was able to take in dozens of camels. There were riders on Arabian horses stationed outside for him as well - but the camels were new, as there were Arabian horses for Trump the day before in Saudi. 'We appreciate those camels. I haven't seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting,' the president told the emir during their initial sit-down. He complimented the marble at this point too. 'As a construction person I'm seeing perfect marble. This is what they call - perfecto,' Trump said. The night before, Trump was treated to a tour of Diriyah - what is being touted as Saudi Arabia's 'premier lifestyle destination' - a giga-project built adjacent to the At-Turaif a UNESCO World Heritage that served as the first home for Saudi's still-ruling royal family, the House of Saud. Development of the site will include 40 hotels and more than 300 residential units. Trump's own company, the Trump Organization, is developing projects in all three of the countries that he's visiting, with one property in the UAE already open and another six planned. At Diriyah, the president was greeted by gowned chanters and drummers as the ancient Salwa Palace was illuminated in the background. At every stop in Saudi, Trump was personally greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, or 'MBS.' The two chatted and smiled, posing for photographers and then toured a model of the giga-project with their entourage, which in Trump's case included Elon Musk and several Cabinet secretaries. Then MBS personally drove Trump around the larger site in a golf cart. This came after the Saudis treated Trump to two official welcome ceremonies - one at the Royal Terminal of the King Khalid International Airport - where only royal family members and diplomatic guests have access - and again at the Royal Court. Lavender carpets - the color of royalty - were rolled out at each locale. A military guard lined the carpets at the airport, while the Beast was accompanied by Arabian horses to the Royal Court. Once inside, Trump participated in a coffee ceremony and held several meetings with MBS and Saudi and U.S. business leaders in giant ornate ballrooms. The president delivered foreign policy remarks Tuesday afternoon at another ornate location - the King Adbul Aziz International Conference Center - greeting guests with a domed entryway, far more opulent than the one in the U.S. Capitol, and featuring an enormous chandelier. Trump stayed in a grand locale too - but one with a colorful past.
