Qatar's emir to meet Donald Trump at White House

The heads of state will discuss security in the Gulf and mutual economic ties.

The meeting comes a day after the emir held talks with acting US Defence Secretary Mark Esper at the Pentagon.

"The leaders discussed a broad range of defence issues, including the importance of burden sharing, Qatari support to the NATO mission in Afghanistan and the Gulf rift," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said.

"Secretary Esper thanked the Emir for the Qatari offer to improve Al-Udeid Air Base and for hosting US forces," Hoffman said.

"He also reiterated the US commitment to ongoing security cooperation for peace and stability in the region."

The emir was honoured at a White House dinner with US President Donald Trump on Monday night.

UK envoy's absence

Following controversy over the release of sensitive documents published in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Britain's ambassador to the United States found himself uninvited to the dinner.

Trump cut off contact with Kim Darroch following the leak of diplomatic cables that branded the US administration as "inept."

Darroch's forthright views have created awkwardness between two countries who often celebrate having a "special relationship".

In a series of tweets, Trump said Darroch was "not liked or well thought of" in the US and also attacked May, accusing her of "making a mess" of Britain's departure from the European Union.

The tweets ratcheted up the pressure on Britain's government over Darroch, who also has been accused by some Brexit-backing UK politicians of lacking enthusiasm for Britain's departure from the EU.

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