Palestinian president meets with Qatari emir in Doha

By Mohamed Fahd

DOHA

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the royal palace in Doha on Thursday.

According to Qatar’s official news agency, Abbas briefed Sheikh Tamim on “progress made in the Palestinian national cause, efforts exerted to achieve inter-Palestinian reconciliation, and recent Israeli escalations in Gaza”.

At Thursday’s meeting in Doha, Abbas also thanked the Qatari emir for his country’s “steadfast support for the Palestinian people and cause”.

The two men also reportedly discussed “means of enhancing bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional and international issues of common concern”.

Abbas arrived in Qatar on Wednesday evening -- via Jordan -- for a two-day visit.

Since his arrival, tension has continued to mount between Israel and Gaza-based resistance groups.

Earlier Thursday, three Palestinians -- including a woman and her 18-month-old baby -- were killed by an Israeli airstrike inside Gaza.