U.S., #Qatar to discuss energy security during emir's Washington visit | Reuters

U.S., Qatar to discuss energy security during emir's Washington visit | Reuters

Qatar's ruling emir will hold talks with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Jan. 31 on a range of issues that will include global energy security, the White House said on Tuesday, amid concerns about gas supplies to Europe.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's visit, the first since Biden took office last year, comes as Washington discusses with energy-producing states and firms a potential diversion of supplies to Europe if Russia invades Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the matter with the foreign minister of Qatar, a top liquefied natural gas producer, in a phone call on Monday, according to a source familiar with the matter who requested anonymity.

Tamim's meeting with Biden at the White House will provide the leaders with an opportunity to discuss "ensuring the stability of global energy supplies," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.