CIA director cites Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi's role in advancing intelligence work between the two countries.
Qatar's top intelligence official has received a medal from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for his role in strengthening intelligence cooperation with the United States.
State Security Agency chief Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi received the George Tenet Medal from CIA Director Bill Burns earlier this week, US media outlet Axios reported.
Burns presented the award to al-Khulaifi in “recognition of his role in maintaining national and regional security” between the two allies in the Gulf region, Axios reported Thursday, citing two sources.
Al-Khulaifi was also honored for his “exceptional support” provided to the U.S. agency “in preserving the interests and security of the United States and Qatar,” the report said.
The Qatari agency is cooperating closely with the United States in the fight against terrorism “to prevent and thwart threats and attacks” in the Middle East, a source cited by Axios said.
Neither the CIA nor the Qatar State Security Agency have yet to issue a statement on al-Khulaifi's award.
Qatar and the United States have a relationship dating back decades, and Qatar is home to the US Air Force base at Al-Udeid.
Tenet served as CIA chief for nearly eight years, from 1996 to 2004, under the administrations of President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush, and helped lead the country's military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
