Qatar will act as the United States' diplomatic representative in Afghanistan following the shuttering of its embassy during the Taliban takeover.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that the country had signed an accord with Qatar to set up an interests section in Afghanistan.

The accord acts as an important signal of possible future direct engagement between Washington and the Taliban after two decades of war.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/troika-plus-pakistans-foreign-minister-says-afghanistan-at-brink-of-economic-collapse-428506" hreflang="en">Pakistan's foreign minister says Afghanistan at 'brink of economic collapse'</a>

Blinken said ''Qatar will establish a US interest section within its embassy in Afghanistan to provide certain consular services and monitor the condition and security of US diplomatic facilities in Afghanistan.''

"Let me again say how grateful we are for your leadership, your support on Afghanistan, but also to note that our partnership is much broader than that," Blinken told Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

The new agreement will into effect on December 31. It comes as the United States and other Western countries grapple with how to engage with the hardline Islamists.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-easily-won-afghanistan-because-300000-strong-army-did-not-exist-ex-finance-minister-428379" hreflang="en">Taliban took Kabul as 300,000-strong army didn't exist : Ex-Afghan minister</a>

Qatar, home to a major US military base, has played a major role both in the diplomacy and the evacuations as the United States ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Around half of the 124,000 Westerners and Western-allied Afghans flown out in the waning days of the US military involvement transited through Qatar.&nbsp;

Since the Taliban takeover, US embassy operations in Kabul have been relocated to Qatar.&nbsp;

The United States, European countries and others are reluctant to formally recognise the Pashtun-dominated Taliban, accusing them of backtracking on pledges of political and ethnic inclusivity and to uphold the rights of women and minorities.

(With inputs from agencies)

Qatar will act as the United States' diplomatic representative in Afghanistan following the shuttering of its embassy during the Taliban takeover. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that the country had signed an accord with Qatar to set up an interests section in Afghanistan.

Qatar will act as the United States' diplomatic representative in Afghanistan following the shuttering of its embassy during the Taliban takeover. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday that the country had signed an accord with Qatar to set up an interests section in Afghanistan. The accord acts as an important signal of possible future direct engagement between Washington and the Taliban after two decades of war. Also read | Pakistan's foreign minister says Afghanistan at 'brink of economic collapse' Blinken said ''Qatar will establish a US interest section within its embassy in Afghanistan to provide certain consular services and monitor the condition and security of US diplomatic facilities in Afghanistan.'' "Let me again say how grateful we are for your leadership, your support on Afghanistan, but also to note that our partnership is much broader than that," Blinken told Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. The new agreement will into effect on December 31. It comes as the United States and other Western countries grapple with how to engage with the hardline Islamists. Also read | Taliban took Kabul as 300,000-strong army didn't exist : Ex-Afghan minister Qatar, home to a major US military base, has played a major role both in the diplomacy and the evacuations as the United States ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan. Around half of the 124,000 Westerners and Western-allied Afghans flown out in the waning days of the US military involvement transited through Qatar. Since the Taliban takeover, US embassy operations in Kabul have been relocated to Qatar. The United States, European countries and others are reluctant to formally recognise the Pashtun-dominated Taliban, accusing them of backtracking on pledges of political and ethnic inclusivity and to uphold the rights of women and minorities. (With inputs from agencies)

'Protecting power': Qatar to act as US diplomatic representative in Afghanistan

Yemen's internationally recognised government said on Sunday it had restored diplomatic ties with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;after four years of boycott led by Saudi Arabia and joined by other Arab countries.

Saudi Arabia and its allies had agreed at a summit in January to end the political row which led to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cutting trade, travel and diplomatic ties with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;in mid-2017. Yemen's Saudi-backed government had followed suit.

Qatar&nbsp;denied their accusations that it supports terrorism.

The foreign minister had met his&nbsp;Qatari counterpart in Doha on Sunday, according to the Yemeni foreign ministry. An agreement was reached to restore ties, it said in a statement, and published an image of the Yemeni flag being raised at the embassy in Doha.

A statement by the&nbsp;Qatari foreign ministry said the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations but did not mention restoration of ties. The&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;government media office did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

Qatar&nbsp;Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani during the meeting underlined the need for a political solution to end the six-year war in Yemen, the statement said.

Qatar&nbsp;was initially part of a Saudi-led military alliance fighting in the war, but was kicked out in 2017 after the Arab boycott.

Since the January agreement, air and travel links have resumed between&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;and the four states. Cairo restored diplomatic relations that month and Riyadh said it would do so.

Fellow Gulf Arab state Kuwait last month hosted bilateral talks with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;and Egypt, and with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;and the UAE, aimed at resolving individual differences.

Yemen's internationally recognised government said on Sunday it had restored diplomatic ties with Qatar after four years of boycott led by Saudi Arabia and joined by other Arab countries.

Yemen's internationally recognised government said on Sunday it had restored diplomatic ties with Qatar after four years of boycott led by Saudi Arabia and joined by other Arab countries. Saudi Arabia and its allies had agreed at a summit in January to end the political row which led to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cutting trade, travel and diplomatic ties with Qatar in mid-2017. Yemen's Saudi-backed government had followed suit. Qatar denied their accusations that it supports terrorism. The foreign minister had met his Qatari counterpart in Doha on Sunday, according to the Yemeni foreign ministry. An agreement was reached to restore ties, it said in a statement, and published an image of the Yemeni flag being raised at the embassy in Doha. A statement by the Qatari foreign ministry said the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations but did not mention restoration of ties. The Qatar government media office did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Qatar Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani during the meeting underlined the need for a political solution to end the six-year war in Yemen, the statement said. Qatar was initially part of a Saudi-led military alliance fighting in the war, but was kicked out in 2017 after the Arab boycott. Since the January agreement, air and travel links have resumed between Qatar and the four states. Cairo restored diplomatic relations that month and Riyadh said it would do so. Fellow Gulf Arab state Kuwait last month hosted bilateral talks with Qatar and Egypt, and with Qatar and the UAE, aimed at resolving individual differences.

Saudi-backed Yemeni government restores ties with Qatar

In another embarrassment for Pakistan, the cash-strapped country on Monday secured a bailout package of $3 billion from oil-rich Qatar, a day after Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad concluded his visit to Islamabad and agreed to cooperate in the fields of trade, anti-money laundering and curbing terror financing.

According to reports, the government of Pakistan had contacted Qatar government and there were reports of Pakistan getting an investment of $22billion in its various sectors.

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Emir will announce investments deals worth $22 billion during his visit.

"This comes as a second major investment in the country after the Kingdom of Saudi had announced to invest $21 billion in Pakistan in three phases under its investment plan," he said.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Upon the directives of HH the Amir, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs announces of new investments in the form of deposits and direct investments worth a total of QR3 billion in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. <a href="https://t.co/zmH07cFRew">pic.twitter.com/zmH07cFRew</a>
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) <a href="https://twitter.com/QNAEnglish/status/1143068696883187714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In January, Khan had visited Qatar to promote trade ties between the two nations. During his visit, the Pakistani premier met the Qatari leadership and the business and investment communities of Qatar.

The Gulf state is the fourth nation that has come forward to rescue Pakistan from default during the past 11 months as the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan tries to overcome a ballooning balance-of-payments crisis.

Earlier, China gave $4.6 billion in the shape of deposits and commercial loans and Saudi Arabia provided $3 billion cash deposit and $3.2 billion oil facility on deferred payments. The United Arab Emirates also provided a $2 billion cash deposit.

(With inputs from PTI)

In another embarrassment for Pakistan, the cash-strapped country on Monday secured a bailout package of $3 billion from oil-rich Qatar, a day after Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad concluded his visit to Islamabad and agreed to cooperate in the fields of trade, anti-money laundering and curbing terror financing.

In another embarrassment for Pakistan, the cash-strapped country on Monday secured a bailout package of $3 billion from oil-rich Qatar, a day after Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad concluded his visit to Islamabad and agreed to cooperate in the fields of trade, anti-money laundering and curbing terror financing. According to reports, the government of Pakistan had contacted Qatar government and there were reports of Pakistan getting an investment of $22billion in its various sectors. Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Emir will announce investments deals worth $22 billion during his visit. "This comes as a second major investment in the country after the Kingdom of Saudi had announced to invest $21 billion in Pakistan in three phases under its investment plan," he said. Upon the directives of HH the Amir, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs announces of new investments in the form of deposits and direct investments worth a total of QR3 billion in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/zmH07cFRew — Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) June 24, 2019 × In January, Khan had visited Qatar to promote trade ties between the two nations. During his visit, the Pakistani premier met the Qatari leadership and the business and investment communities of Qatar. The Gulf state is the fourth nation that has come forward to rescue Pakistan from default during the past 11 months as the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan tries to overcome a ballooning balance-of-payments crisis. Earlier, China gave $4.6 billion in the shape of deposits and commercial loans and Saudi Arabia provided $3 billion cash deposit and $3.2 billion oil facility on deferred payments. The United Arab Emirates also provided a $2 billion cash deposit. (With inputs from PTI)

Pakistan's claims fall short as Qatar announces $3 billion bailout instead of $22 billion

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-urges-de-escalation-in-us-iran-row-225787">Qatar</a> is making $3 billion worth of new investments in Pakistan, in the form of deposits and direct investments, the Qatari state news agency QNA said on Monday.

Following this investment, the economic partnership between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-scramble-as-thai-airways-cancels-flights-over-pakistan-200174">Qatar and Pakistan</a> will reach $9 billion, the agency reported, quoting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

Last month, Pakistan reached an accord in principle with the International Monetary Fund for a three-year, $6 billion bailout package aimed at shoring up its fragile public finances and strengthening a slowing economy.

The Qatari announcement came after a visit by Qatar's emir to Pakistan. During the visit, Pakistan and Qatar signed several memoranda of understanding for trade and investment, tourism and business and for cooperation in financial intelligence, according to the Pakistani government's Twitter account.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's government is seeking to stabilise its economy with loans from Gulf countries and international donors.

Saudi Arabia earlier provided Pakistan with a $3 billion loan and a similar amount every year in oil supply on deferred payments. The United Arab Emirates also announced a $3 billion loan package.

Qatar is making $3 billion worth of new investments in Pakistan, in the form of deposits and direct investments, the Qatari state news agency QNA said on Monday.

Qatar is making $3 billion worth of new investments in Pakistan, in the form of deposits and direct investments, the Qatari state news agency QNA said on Monday. Following this investment, the economic partnership between Qatar and Pakistan will reach $9 billion, the agency reported, quoting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. Last month, Pakistan reached an accord in principle with the International Monetary Fund for a three-year, $6 billion bailout package aimed at shoring up its fragile public finances and strengthening a slowing economy. The Qatari announcement came after a visit by Qatar's emir to Pakistan. During the visit, Pakistan and Qatar signed several memoranda of understanding for trade and investment, tourism and business and for cooperation in financial intelligence, according to the Pakistani government's Twitter account. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's government is seeking to stabilise its economy with loans from Gulf countries and international donors. Saudi Arabia earlier provided Pakistan with a $3 billion loan and a similar amount every year in oil supply on deferred payments. The United Arab Emirates also announced a $3 billion loan package.

Qatar says it will invest $3 billion in Pakistan: Report

Qatar and other countries have been talking to both Iran and the United States about de-escalation, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Sunday, urging both sides to meet and find a compromise.

“We believe that at one point there should an engagement – it cannot last forever like this," he told reporters in London on Sunday. “Since they are not willing to engage in further escalation, they should come up with ideas that open the doors.”

Sheikh Mohammed said several countries including Qatar, Oman Iraq and Japan had been urging de-escalation with the two sides.

"All these countries are concerned what escalation could lead to," he said. "There were attempts by Qatar and by other countries in the region to de-escalate the situation: we have been speaking to the U.S. and we have been talking to the Iranians as well."

"What we are trying to do is really to bridge the gap and create a conversation between the two parties as escalation is not going to benefit anyone in the region," he said.

Tensions have risen between Iran and the United States in recent weeks after Washington reimposed economic sanctions on Iran after pulling out of a big-power nuclear deal, and sending forces to the Middle East in a show of force to counter what U.S. officials called Iranian threats to U.S. troops and interests.

Qatar and other countries have been talking to both Iran and the United States about de-escalation, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Sunday, urging both sides to meet and find a compromise.

Qatar and other countries have been talking to both Iran and the United States about de-escalation, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Sunday, urging both sides to meet and find a compromise. “We believe that at one point there should an engagement – it cannot last forever like this," he told reporters in London on Sunday. “Since they are not willing to engage in further escalation, they should come up with ideas that open the doors.” Sheikh Mohammed said several countries including Qatar, Oman Iraq and Japan had been urging de-escalation with the two sides. "All these countries are concerned what escalation could lead to," he said. "There were attempts by Qatar and by other countries in the region to de-escalate the situation: we have been speaking to the U.S. and we have been talking to the Iranians as well." "What we are trying to do is really to bridge the gap and create a conversation between the two parties as escalation is not going to benefit anyone in the region," he said. Tensions have risen between Iran and the United States in recent weeks after Washington reimposed economic sanctions on Iran after pulling out of a big-power nuclear deal, and sending forces to the Middle East in a show of force to counter what U.S. officials called Iranian threats to U.S. troops and interests.

Qatar urges de-escalation in US-Iran row