Qatar revealed on Tuesday it helped broker the ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran announced by US President Donald Trump overnight.
The Gulf state's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Qatar was surprised to have been attacked by Iranian missiles given its role in attempting to defuse the conflict.
He said Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim had spoken to Mr Trump to chart a path towards a ceasefire.
"Our friends in the United States proposed that the state of Qatar will initiate communication with the Iranians in order to examine their preparedness," he said. "We initiated communication with the Iranians and then it was followed by the announcement made by the US President."
Israel accused Iran of breaching the ceasefire on Tuesday morning, hours after it was declared by Mr Trump.
Qatar, meanwhile, said it had shot down all but one of the missiles fired on Monday at Al Udeid airbase, which is used by US forces in the Middle East. Iran said the strike was in retaliation for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and had "nothing to do with our friendly neighbour Qatar". Gulf countries rallied behind Qatar in support.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke to Sheikh Tamim on Tuesday, the Qatari Prime Minister said. He added that Qatar was making "significant efforts" to uphold the ceasefire through contact with Iran and the US.
"There must be a clear commitment that any attack on Qatar or any Gulf state is unacceptable and condemned by all, and will require a unified stance, he told a press conference held alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
"We are looking forward to constructing a clear and solid understanding that guarantees that such incidents will not be repeated."
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, said the attack on Al Udeid was "carried out within the framework of Iran's legitimate right to self defence", his ministry said. It said it "should in no way be interpreted as an action against the friendly and brotherly government of Qatar".
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
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7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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