Qatar’s Emir has sent a cable of congratulations to the new US President Donald Trump, who assumed his position yesterday.
In his message, Sheikh Tamim wished Trump success.
He also expressed hope that Qatar and the US would have “further progress and prosperity.”
The Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent their well wishes, according to QNA.
Reactions from residents in Qatar, however, were less warm.
#Khartoon – The fall? #inauguration #trump #PresidentTrump #EndOfAmerica #PeoplesOath #PresidentTrump #makeamericagreatagain #Russia pic.twitter.com/m0c5gJrEQN
— ود البيه (@khalidalbaih) January 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/LibyaLiberty/status/822576091659386881
"@Jezebel: Donald Trump plagiarized Bane in his #inauguration speech: https://t.co/hA9NB8LAaP pic.twitter.com/2cw1JrNOjm"
— Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid) January 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/cpaschyn/status/822549260122079234
Uncertain future
Arab leaders have been expressing anxiety and uncertainty about their relationship with the US since Trump won the election in November.
The businessman had run on a platform that included anti-Muslim, anti-immigration rhetoric.
And during his inauguration speech yesterday, Trump touched on “radical Islamic terrorism,” saying his goal is to “eradicate (it) completely from the face of the Earth.”
What this means for Qatar, which is home to the largest US air base in the Middle East, remains unclear for now.
That said, analysts have forecast that Trump’s “apparent lack of interest in spreading democracy would be welcomed by Gulf monarchs.”
Thoughts?
