By Ahmed Yousuf

DOHA (AA): Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday met with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and deputy Ismail Haniyeh in capital Doha, according to Qatar’s official news agency.

“The two sides discussed recent developments in the Palestinian political arena, especially in the Gaza Strip,” the news agency reported.

At the meeting, the emir reportedly emphasized Qatar’s ongoing support for the Palestinian cause, praising “the Gazan people’s steadfastness against Israel’s brutal occupation”.

In turn, Meshaal and Haniyeh expressed their appreciation for the “unlimited support for the Palestinian people shown by the Qatari leadership”.

The two Hamas leaders also extolled the roles played by Qatar’s leaders and people in supporting the Palestinian cause.

In mid-September, Haniyeh left the Hamas-run Gaza Strip for Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage.

Haniyeh’s departure was accompanied by reports that he was planning to vie for the presidency of Hamas’ influential political bureau following the expiry of Meshaal’s term later this year.

[Photo: Paelstinian Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal. Photographer: Creative Commons/AA]