US president hails Qatar anti-terror role: News agency

By Ahmed al-Masri

DOHA (AA) - Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday received a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump during which the latter reportedly hailed Qatar’s role in the ongoing fight against terrorist groups.

According to Qatar’s official QNA news agency, the two men also discussed U.S.-Qatar relations and “means of enhancing cooperation between the two friendly countries, especially in terms of the fight against terrorism”.

The QNA went on to report that Trump had commended Qatar's role in the fight against terrorist groups.

The phone conversation between the two leaders comes amid a months-long political standoff between Qatar and a four-nation Arab bloc led by Saudi Arabia.

Last summer, the Saudi-led bloc -- which also includes Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain -- collectively severed ties with Qatar for allegedly supporting terrorist groups in the region.

Doha, for its part, has consistently denied the accusations, describing the attempts to isolate it by its fellow Arab states as a breach of international law.