U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Qatar is a significant contributing partner in the U.S.-led international coalition battling Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
Kerry also said on Monday he appreciates the many ways Qatar has been available to assist in anti-terrorism efforts in the Middle East, most recently in Yemen.
The secretary of state made his remarks before entering into talks with Qatari Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiya in Washington.
Qatar has played a supporting role in U.S.-led airstrike missions in Syria against the Islamic State group.
The Defense One website says Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have agreed to host training sessions for the more than 400 troops being deployed by the United States to train moderate Syrian rebels to fight IS forces. The training is expected to begin in March.
