German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier waited in the Bundeswehr’s Airbus A350 for almost half an hour on Wednesday before being allowed to leave the plane in Qatar.
Unusual start to Qatar visit: German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier waited in the Bundeswehr Airbus A350 for almost half an hour on Wednesday before getting off the plane. The red carpet had already been rolled out and an honor guard had arrived. German ambassador Lothar Freischlader was on hand to welcome guests. Finally, a representative of the host country also arrived – the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan al-Muraichi.
Until then, Steinmeier would sometimes stand at the plane’s front door with his arms crossed. The reason for this unusual waiting period initially remained unclear. The plane landed a little earlier than expected in the official program. The Federal President then left in time for the meeting with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Steinmeier wanted to talk to the Emir mainly about the release of hostages kidnapped by the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Qatar plays an important mediating role. (APA/dpa)