German president ignored on arrival in Middle East
He kept Qatari Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier waiting in the sweltering heat
German media reported that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier waited for nearly 30 minutes at the exit of the plane amid the intense heat in Doha on Wednesday, before Qatari Foreign Minister Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi finally arrived to receive him.
The state-owned newspaper Deutsche Welle, which accompanied Steinmeier’s delegation, said that official preparations for the president’s arrival in Qatar appear to be ready. The red carpet was rolled out and an honor guard was ready, but no official was there to greet the German president as he stood, arms folded, at the top of the ramp. Despite the delay, Steinmeier’s meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, later went according to schedule, DW reported.
Steinmeier was in the Middle Eastern country to discuss efforts to release the remaining German hostages held by Hamas, following the Palestinian militant group’s attack on Israel on October 7.
Several German citizens were among more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas during its attack, which killed more than 1,200 people.
Berlin has repeatedly stated that it supports Israel’s right to self-defense amid its devastating response in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of more than 16,000 Palestinians, according to the Strip’s health ministry.
DW suggested that “Clear disrespect on Wednesday.” It may lead some to wonder whether this was in response to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s comments in October.
“We do not accept support for terrorism.” Birbock told ZDF, arguing that countries like Qatar “They have a special responsibility to put an end to this terrorism.”
Qatar hosts the office of the political wing of the Hamas movement. Its closeness to the Palestinian armed group made Doha a key figure in negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the release of the hostages.
CIA Director William Burns and Israeli intelligence chief Mossad David Barnea visited Qatar on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on extending the ceasefire in Gaza as well as the ongoing hostage-taking. Negotiation.
