DOHA
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Friday voiced hope that a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers would serve to enhance stability and security in the Middle East.
He made the assertions in a phone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama, Qatar's state-run QNA news agency reported.
According to the news agency, Obama and the Qatari leader discussed the outcome of this week's negotiations between the P5+1 group of nations and Iran over the latter's nuclear energy program.
"The U.S. president stressed his administration's commitment to the peace and stability of the region," the news agency said.
For his part, Sheikh Tamim reportedly expressed Qatar's support for "a peaceful resolution" of the dispute, stressing the importance of keeping the region "free of nuclear weapons."
He, too, expressed hope that the deal with Iran would enhance regional security and stability.
On Thursday evening, Iran and the P5+1 (the U.S., China, France, Russia, the U.K. and Germany) reached a preliminary framework for talks aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program.
They have set themselves a June 30 deadline for reaching a deal.
Iran's nuclear program has caused particular concern in the Arab Gulf, where Sunni-majority states fear the prospect of Shiite Iran obtaining a nuclear weapons arsenal.
