Manama: The James Foley Foundation in the United States has awarded HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, the 2026 American “Hostage Freedom Award”. In his role as Chief Negotiator, Dr. Al Khulaifi played a crucial part in securing the release of Americans held hostage in Afghanistan, Iran, Gaza, and Venezuela.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Foundation highlighted that Dr. Al Khulaifi’s expertise is instrumental in opening channels of dialogue when other avenues are unavailable. His efforts in building trust and guiding negotiations in complex situations have been acknowledged by the Foundation.

The American Foundation emphasized that HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been successful in establishing communication and humanitarian solutions in scenarios where the United States had no formal diplomatic relations.

The Foundation further noted that Dr. Al Khulaifi’s work exemplifies the role of Qatar as a mediator and underscores the effectiveness of diplomacy in promoting peace and human dignity.