Rubio set for ‘Israel’ visit this weekend to show support: AFP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will depart Saturday for ‘Israel’ to offer support ahead of France’s expected recognition of a Palestinian state, the US State Department said, as cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Rubio will meet ‘Israeli’ leaders to reaffirm “our commitment to counter anti-Israel actions, including unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state that rewards Hamas terrorism,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

The trip comes around the same time US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in New York on Friday evening, according to two sources familiar with the matter. 

Read more: Trump to meet Qatari Prime Minister following 'Israeli' strike in Doha: Reports

The talks will focus on the aftermath of this week’s failed ‘Israeli’ strike in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders, but killed six others including a Qatari security official. 

Earlier Friday, Sheikh Mohammed was scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C., for a meeting with Secretary of State Rubio at the White House, the State Department confirmed. 

Sources added that the Qatari Prime Minister also planned to meet Vice President JD Vance, though his office did not immediately comment.