Qatar working to bring Washington, Tehran's views closer - Qatar foreign minister

Qatar working to bring Washington, Tehran's views closer - Qatar foreign minister

DOHA, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told al Jazeera TV his country is using its open channels with Washington and Tehran to bring their views closer, the Qatari-owned network reported on Tuesday.

His remarks come after U.S. president Joe Biden and Qatar's emir met in the Oval Office on Monday to discuss bilateral ties and pressing regional issues. read more

Al-Thani visited Iran on Thursday, just days before the ruling emir's diplomatic visit to Washington and as efforts by Tehran and major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear pact enter a crucial time. read more

The minister also said limiting Europe's energy supply problems solely to the current Ukrainian crisis was "unfair", adding that "global energy issues are not short term, rather, they take collective action to be resolved."

Qatar, the world's largest supplier of liquefied natural gas may divert supplies to Europe if the Ukraine conflict disrupts Russian gas deliveries to the continent. L1N2U60PO

Al-Thani welcomed Biden's promise to designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally saying it reflected the strength of bilateral relations and opened up "partnership opportunities."

Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani ended his visit to Washington after sealing a Boeing freighter deal and meeting separately with Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss arms sales. read more

Reporting by Alaa Swilam and Lilian Wagdy, Writing by Alaa Swilam, Editing by Richard Pullin

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