Trump signs executive order pledging US security guarantees to Qatar

DOHA -- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order pledging to guarantee Qatar's security, saying that any armed attack on the Gulf state will be considered a threat to the peace and security of the United States.

The executive order, shared by the US Embassy in Qatar, highlights the long-standing cooperation between the two countries, noting that Qatar has hosted US forces, enabled critical security operations, and acted as a steadfast ally in the pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, including by mediating to help resolve regional and global conflicts.

Trump said in the order that it is the policy of the United States to ensure the security and territorial integrity of Qatar against external aggression, and that Washington would take "all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic and, if necessary, military — to defend the interests of the United States and the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability."

The order came two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to the White House, apologized to Qatar for a recent airstrike in Doha. According to a statement from Qatar's Foreign Ministry, Netanyahu expressed regret over the incident and pledged that such an event would not recur.

On Sept 9, Israel carried out airstrikes on Doha, claiming they targeted senior Hamas leaders based in the city. Hamas said its delegation was in Doha at the time to discuss a US-brokered ceasefire proposal. The strikes killed five Palestinians and one Qatari security officer, drawing widespread international condemnation.