Summary
- Donald Trump is holding talks in Qatar on the second leg of his four-day Middle East tour
- Before flying to Doha, Trump met the Syrian president in Riyadh – urging Ahmed al-Sharaa to normalise relations with Israel
- The meeting came after Trump lifted sanctions on Syria, saying it would “give them a chance at greatness”
- In Riyadh, Trump also addressed a Gulf leaders’ summit – repeating that he wants to strike a deal with Iran, but they must stop “sponsoring terror”
Lavish reception for Trump in Qatar
Trump is now holding a meeting with the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad al-Thani, at the luxurious Lusail Palace.
As expected, it’s another lavish reception for the US president in the oil-rich Gulf state.
What are the Trump family’s business interests in the Middle East?
During his trip, Trump is hoping to drum up investment for the US.
His visit follows a series of business deals announced by the Trump Organization, which is run by the president’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr.
These include plans to build golf courses and luxury villas in Qatar and the UAE.
A deal was announced by the Trump Organization at the beginning of May to develop a Trump-branded luxury 18-hole golf course and a collection of luxury villas north of Qatar’s capital, Doha.
And in April the company said it was going to build “the region’s first Trump International Hotel & Tower” in the “heart of Dubai” consisting of 80 floors of “luxury living and world-class hospitality”.
President Trump is not currently affiliated with the Trump Organization, having handed over management responsibilities to his children after entering the White House on 20 January.
Ruffles crisps and a red carpet welcome: Trump’s flight to Doha
In the past hour Donald Trump, has arrived in Qatar for the latest stage of his Middle East tour.
Footage from the flight from Riyadh showed the president looking intently out the window, with some Ruffles crisps, red and green grapes, low calorie pretzels and individually wrapped sweets in front of him.
Air Force One was escorted by fighter jets, before landing to a red carpet welcome – including a personal greeting from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Attractive guy, tough guy’: Trump praises Syrian president
More comments now from Donald Trump while he was flying to Doha, as he reflected on his meeting with Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
He said the brief meeting in Saudi Arabia this morning went “great”, saying the Syrian is a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.”
Trump added: “He’s got a real shot at holding it together. I spoke with President Erdogan, who is very friendly with him. He feels she’s got a shot of doing a good job. It’s a torn–up country.”
The US president said he thought Syria would join the Abraham Accords at some point, to normalise relations with Israel.
“I think they have to get themselves straightened up. I told him, ‘I hope you’re going to join when it’s straightened out.’
“He said, ‘Yes.’ But they have a lot of work to do.”
Plane row expected to resurface now Trump is in Qatar
President Trump is now in Doha, on the second stop of his Middle East trip. During the first, in Saudi Arabia, he signed a massive arms deal to sell weapons to the kingdom, plus billions of dollars’ worth of commercial contracts.
He also announced he would lift economic sanctions on Syria, and he briefly met the new Syrian president for the first time this morning.
More business deals are on the cards here in Qatar and he will attend a glittering state dinner later. But overshadowing this visit is the controversy over the gift of a luxury plane from Qatar.
The plane he’s using to fly around the Gulf, Air Force One, is old and due to be replaced. Trump wants to refit the lavish interior of this new 747 and use it for presidential travel, saying he would be stupid to turn down a free aircraft.
But he’s getting condemned from all sides – with critics saying we just don’t know what the Qataris may want in return.
Trump is clearly enjoying his time in the Middle East, being feted by royalty as he visits some of the wealthiest nations on Earth, and striking lucrative deals as he goes. He argues it’s these kind of commercial contacts that will help the Middle East overcome a history of violent conflict
Trump met by Qatari leader after stepping off plane
On a freshly rolled out red carpet, Trump is now shaking hands with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after stepping off Air Force One.
He’s only the second US president to visit the country this century – and the first since President George W Bush in 2003.
A ‘possibility’ that Trump may travel to Turkey for Ukraine-Russia peace talks
While travelling from Riyadh to Doha, Donald Trump told reporters he is willing to head to Turkey for talks on Ukraine if his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin also travels there.
The US president said he does not know if Putin would attend “if I’m not there”.
“I know he would like me to be there, and that’s a possibility. If we could end the war, I’d be thinking about that,” Trump added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Turkey tomorrow, a US official has previously said.
Air Force One arrives in Qatar
The plane carrying Donald Trump has just touched down at Hamad International Airport in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Donald Trump is moments away from setting foot in the second country of his Middle East tour.
Trump’s visit to Qatar – what to expect
President Trump will shortly be arriving in Qatar’s capital Doha – the next stop of his four-day Middle East visit.
In the Gulf state, where Washington has its largest military base in the region, Trump will have a series of meetings with top Qatari officials, including Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Military co-operation and regional security are expected to top the agenda.
Qatar has been a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, and Gaza ceasefire efforts could also feature prominently during Trump’s visit.