US President Donald Trump met Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim, and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, aboard Air Force One on Saturday during a refuelling stop in Doha.
Mr Trump has embarked on a trip to Asia, but his stop in the Gulf presented an opportunity to discuss the Gaza peace plan and its progress.
The Qatari leaders boarded Air Force One late on Saturday after it landed at Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the regional headquarters for the US military and thousands of American troops.
Mr Trump's special assistant Margo Martin posted a video of the meeting on X, in which Mr Trump said to Sheikh Tamim: “It’s such an honour to have you on the plane.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had been visiting Israel, arrived in Qatar on Saturday and joined the meeting with Mr Trump and the Emir. Mr Rubio said he expected there to be further talks in Doha on Sunday about an international stabilisation force for Gaza.
Mr Rubio said US officials are getting input on a possible UN resolution or international agreement to authorise a multinational force.
“Many of the countries that have expressed an interest in participating at some level, whether it be monetary or personnel or both, are going to need that [a UN resolution or international agreement] because their domestic laws require it,” said Mr Rubio.
He also said he did not envision a permanent division of Gaza. Under a US-brokered ceasefire for the enclave, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a Yellow Line, leaving them in control of around half of the territory. The US has said reconstruction aid will be focused in the area under Israeli control.
“I think, ultimately, the point of the stabilisation force is to move that line until it covers hopefully all of Gaza, meaning all of Gaza will be demilitarised,” Mr Rubio said.
“Ultimately, the more of Gaza is demilitarised, the more of Gaza terrorism is removed, the more of it is going to look like that green zone – and that line will move as a result of it,” he added.
“That's the long-term plan. The Israelis have made it abundantly clear they have no interest in occupying Gaza.”
The US, along with Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, helped to broker the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas earlier this month.
Political leaders from around the world convened in the Egyptian leisure resort of Sharm El Sheikh on October 13 for a ceremony to sign the ceasefire deal. Mr Trump declared “peace in the Middle East” at the summit.
The deal paused, and potentially ended, more than two years of war in Gaza that killed more than 68,000 Palestinians in Israeli attacks and left much of the enclave in ruins.
Mediators are working to ensure the ceasefire holds and that President Trump’s 20-point plan is implemented, with both sides fulfilling their obligations under the proposal.
While largely holding, the truce has been strained by a recent flare-up of violence in Gaza, disputes over the exchange of dead Israelis and Palestinians, and mutual distrust between Israel and Hamas.
High-level US delegations visited Israel this week, including Mr Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to help safeguard the truce.
Israeli leaders have praised the Trump deal that secured the release of hostages and paused hostilities in the strip, but delicate negotiations lie ahead on the next phases of the plan. Issues to be resolved include disarming Hamas and the shape of a new international peacekeeping force.
Following his Doha stop, Mr Trump will head to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation leaders’ summit where trade talks between the US and China will be in focus.
The world’s two largest economies have engaged in tit-for-tat tariffs that have shaken global stock and commodity markets.
The US and China reportedly started talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, before a high-profile meeting between Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit on Thursday.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
