US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged strong support for Qatar's security on a lightning visit on Tuesday, as anger boils in the Gulf ally over last week's Israeli attack on Hamas negotiators.

On a hastily arranged stop in Doha after a visit to Israel, Rubio shook hands with Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in his office before entering closed door talks that lasted just under an hour.

He flew out straight after the meeting.

In Israel, he had pledged "unwavering support" even after it angered US allies in the Gulf by targeting Hamas negotiators in Doha.

"Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Qatar, and thanked Qatar for its efforts to end the war in Gaza and bring all hostages home," said State Department spokesman

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