Qatari foreign ministry says Gulf cannot rely on US alone for security

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Monday that the strategic alliance with the United States remains important but Gulf Arab states need to be more self-sufficient in security, citing lessons from the war with Iran, the Arab News reported.

Gulf countries could not depend on international forces or their ties with Washington to defend the region, said Majed al-Ansari.

“We need to realise in the Gulf that having international forces in the region, having a strategic alliance with the US, is very important but is not enough,” al-Ansari said at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, according to Reuters.

“Self-sufficiency when it comes to security is the only way forward,” he said.

His remarks come as Gulf Arab states review their security arrangements after the war with Iran and attacks involving regional targets. Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US Air Force installation outside the United States.

Qatar has continued to describe its relationship with the United States as strategically important. Doha and Washington reaffirmed their long-standing strategic partnership in December and pledged to keep working together on security and other issues.