UK-Qatar relationship 'going from strength to strength', says Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Friday, to discuss latest developments in the Middle East.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

20 September, 2019

Boris Johnson welcomed Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at 10 Downing Street [Getty]

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, at 10 Downing Street on Friday.

The two leaders said their countries had a very strong relationship and pledged to seek to make it stronger still.

The UK's relationship with Qatar is going from "strength to strength", Johnson has said.

"The whole of this capital city is landmarked with symbols of that relationship, I'm proud to say, and in the whole of the UK," Johnson added.

Qatar's Emir said he was "excited" to meet with Johson, in hope to bolster the "very strong relationship" which exists between the two nations.

Both leaders also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East amid rising tensions in the Gulf.

The latest escalation include Saudi Arabia blaming Iran for Saturday's attacks on two Aramco oil installations as well as a string of recent assaults on shipping in sensitive Gulf waters, all denied by Iran.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar over allegations that it supports "terrorist" groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood.

Doha has rejected the allegations.

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