GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The emir of Qatar on Tuesday became the first head of state to visit the Gaza Strip since Hamas militants seized the territory five years ago, showering almost half a billion dollars and unprecedented political recognition on the Islamic militant group.

The landmark visit highlighted the tumultuous changes that have swept the region during the Arab Spring events over the past two years, pushing once-shunned Islamic movements to the forefront of Mideast politics. Qatar, an oil-rich Gulf state, has encouraged these changes by backing efforts for the ouster of secular regimes.

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