The following is via Al-Arabiya:

The Qatari government urgently dispatched several individuals to the United States two weeks ago.

Among them was Hassan Ali bin Ali, an important Qatari regime insider and businessman.

Bin Ali is believed to have met with several American and non-American media personalities.

This information, corroborated by an insider source speaking to Al Arabiya English on condition of anonymity, revealed that these media meetings were so important to Bin Ali, that he “hastily canceled pre-scheduled meetings with the staff of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.”

A congressional source told Al Arabiya English, on condition of anonymity, that Bin Ali had hired the New York City lobbying firm Friedlander Group, founded by Ezra Friedlander, to mend the bilateral relations between Qatar and the United States.

A Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) application submitted by Ezra Friedlander had listed Bin Ali as a foreign principal hiring the Friedlander Group for $50,000 per quarter, according to US government records.

The Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are planning to host extremist Hassan Ali Bin Ali on Thursday.

Hassan Ali Bin Ali is crooked Qatari “businessman” close to the Iranian mullahs.

Why is he even allowed in the country, let alone hosted by the @HFACDemocrats?! pic.twitter.com/pduRqd9Ynl

— Drew Liquerman (@DrewLiquerman) October 9, 2018

The U.S. has a complicated relationship with Qatar.

President Donald Trump has at times taken a hard line against Qatar, saying the country needed to scale back ties with Iran and stop funding terrorists.

During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar – look!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

…extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

However, the U.S. stations approximately 10,000 troops at the Al Udeid Air Base outside Doha, which plays a pivotal role in America’s Middle East operations.

The duties of the Friedlander group are to arrange meetings with Congressional members to discuss bi-lateral relations between the United States and countries across the Middle East and ways to achieve peace and regional stability.

A luncheon or reception would be hosted every six months in Congress; once in the Senate and the another in the House to allow members of both chambers to meet Bin Ali in a social setting.

Congressional staff, Jewish leaders, and diplomats would be encouraged to participate to discuss relevant legislative issues that Congress is working on.

[YWN Exclusive: Official Statement by The Friedlander Group Slams Al Arabiya Article Regarding Qatar Connection]

Hassan Ali bin Ali is well known by his ties with Tehran. He enjoys close business and personal relations with Iranian parties.

An outside source who works closely with members of the House Foreign Relations Committee told Al Arabiya English that Bin Ali had, in fact, been a front for the Qataris for a number of years.

“He’s the one who whitewashes the whitewashers of the Qatari regime. Not only in the United States but all over the whole world,” he said.

SOURCE: Al-Arabiya