London: HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani met with HE UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey, during His Excellency's official visit to the United Kingdom, accompanied by a Qatari delegation. During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of joint interest and ways to enhance and develop them, in addition to discussing the latest regional and international developments.

According to Qatar News Agency, as part of the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst. The MoU was signed by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the UK Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani on the Qatari side, and Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Major General Nick Cowley on the UK side.

There was also an agreement signed to extend the joint Qatari-UK No. 12 Squadron, with the agreement signed on the Qatari side by HE Commander of Qatar Amiri Air Force HE Maj Gen (Pilot) Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Dosari, and on the UK side by Chief of the Air Staff of the UK Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton.

To mark the occasion, the UK Secretary of State for Defence hosted a luncheon in honor of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs. The meeting and luncheon were also attended by HE Qatar Ambassador to the UK Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani and a number of senior military officers from both sides.