The United States has commended the role of Qatar in supporting NATO operations in Afghanistan during a meeting between  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah and US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Washington yesterday. Pentagon spokeswoman Rebecca Rebarich told Al-Hurra, the US-based Arabic TV channel that the meeting of Mattis and HE al-Attiyah was an affirmation of the strategic and security partnership between Washington and Doha, and they discussed a number of security and military issues that included fighting terrorism and counteracting the activities of ISIS, and the support of Qatar to NATO mission in Afghanistan. The Department of Defence said the US is looking forward to raise the capabilities of Al Udeid Airbase and further develop it. Rebarich told Al-Hurra that the Qatari delegation, headed by HE al-Attiyah, offered the US Defence Secretary a plan to expand the US airbase in Qatar. “The US side would review the details of the offer and talks between the two parties could result into agreement on the issue,” she said.