His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Commander of United States Central Command Joseph Votel held on Friday an expanded meeting at MacDill Air Force Base.
The meeting was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir and a number of Qatari military leaders of the military attache of the State of Qatar's embassy in Washington.On the American side it was attended by Deputy Commander of US Central Command Lieutenant general Charles Brown, Chief of Staff of US Central Command Major General Terry Ferrell, Director of Intelligence Brig. Gen. Karen Gibson, and a number of ranking Air Force and Marines officers.His Highness the Emir listened at the outset of the meeting to a summary from the Central Command on the coalition's role in the region.
His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being received by the Commander of United States Central Command Joseph Votel at MacDill Air Force Base
The meeting discussed the scope strategic bilateral military and defence co-operation, in light of the Joint Declaration on Security Co-operation that was announced during the first US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in February and its role in co-ordinating counter-terrorism efforts.They also discussed the latest regional and international developments.Afterwards, the Emir visited the Special Operations Command Central, and listened to an overview of the most notable operations run by the command.Joseph Votel expressed at the outset of the meeting his thanks to His Highness the Emir and appreciation to the State of Qatar's pivotal role in countering terrorism and in promoting stability in the region through Al Udeid Air Base and through the co-operation with the US in that regard.For his part, the Emir said that the strategic co-operation between Qatar and the US was strong and will continue to be so in all fields, governed by the joint interests of the two countries and the friendly peoples.
The Emir added that increasing the strategic bilateral co-operation is crucial to counter-terrorism efforts and for enhancing peace and stability in the region.The meeting also saw a review of strategic military, security, and defense ties and how to advance them.It also focused on the two countries' counter-terrorism efforts.The meeting was attended by a number of their excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir.On the US side, Deputy Commander of United States Central Command Lieutenant general Charles Brown attended the meeting along with a number of military leaders.His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al -Thani arrived earlier in Tampa, Florida, on the first day of an official visit to the United States that lasts several days.Upon arrival at MacDill Air Force Base, the Emir and the accompanying delegation were greeted by HE Commander of the US Central Command General Joseph Votel, Qatar's ambassador to the US Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani, as well as a number of senior officers of the US Central Command, and members of the military attache at the Qatari embassy.