Truce in Gaza, release of hostages, diplomatic relations… The challenges of the state visit of the Emir of Qatar to France

The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, is in France for a two-day state visit. At the heart of the discussions: a new truce in Gaza for the release of the hostages.

This is not the first time that the owner of Paris Saint-Germain has come to the capital. In September 2023 we saw him in the stands of the Parc des Princes for the PSG – OM classic. During the dinner at the Élysée on Tuesday February 27 evening, he will also be at the same table as Kylian M’Bappé.

The Emir of Qatar is not coming to France, from Tuesday and for two days, solely to talk football with the star striker of PSG or with his counterpart Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders have already met in Paris in 2018 and 2019, and in Doha in December 2023. But for the first time since his accession to the throne 11 years ago, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is on a state visit In France. And it is the role of mediator of his emirate which has earned him the spotlight.

A key player in the conflict in the Middle East

No country is capable, like Qatar, of speaking to the West, Hamas and Israel at the same time. A unique diplomatic agility which has enabled Doha to establish itself as an essential interlocutor since October 7.

To have a first ceasefire accepted in November. And to be atœis working again today when “common ground” has finally been found for a new truce, accompanied by significant humanitarian aid, which would allow the release of several dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange Palestinian prisoners. A few meetings took place in Paris at the end of last week, but the majority of discussions took place in the emirate. France’s role in these talks nevertheless remains very marginal. Emmanuel Macron still has messages to convey. He will tell his counterpart that three French nationals are still prisoners of Hamas and that Paris makes their release an absolute priority.

On the humanitarian level, a joint operation between France and Qatar should see the light of day with the sending of freight, 10 ambulances and more than 300 tents for the refugees of Rafah… But the discussions will also focus on the aftermath -war while the Israeli offensive has killed more than 30,000 people according to the Hamas health ministry. The French president calls for momentum “decisive and irreversible” on the two-state solution, the one and only way according to him to end the crisis. This is what he will push to his interlocutor.

Warming up relations between Paris and Doha

Paris also wants to take advantage of this visit to mark its rapprochement with Doha and warm up the rather cool atmosphere so far, Emmanuel Macron having made the choice, upon his arrival at the Élysée, of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia against that of Qatar. Lhe areas of friction, notably Doha’s financing of Hamas and political Islam in France, are relegated to the past. LQatar provided assistance in the Lebanese issue, it played an essential role in the evacuation of Afghanistan after the capture of Kabul by the Taliban, it also positioned itself in favor of Ukraine against Russia. .. All this has created a positive context which gives Paris and Doha the opportunity to open a new chapter in their diplomatic relations.