Qatar, France Sign $14 Billion Weapons, Jets Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French officers stationed at the al-Udeid Air Base in Doha on December 7, 2017. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French officers stationed at the al-Udeid Air Base in Doha on December 7, 2017. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
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Qatar, France Sign $14 Billion Weapons, Jets Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French officers stationed at the al-Udeid Air Base in Doha on December 7, 2017. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French officers stationed at the al-Udeid Air Base in Doha on December 7, 2017. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Qatar signed with France on Thursday weapons and infrastructure contracts worth $14 billion.

During a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Doha, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said his country was ready for dialogue with its Gulf neighbors.

Since June 5, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have boycotted Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and causing instability.

The signed contracts include a deal for Qatar to buy 12 French-built Rafale fighter jets and 50 Airbus A321 passenger planes.

Qatar also signed a letter of intent to buy 490 VBCI armored vehicles from Nexter, a French government-owned weapons manufacturer, in a potential deal worth $1.7 billion, the Elysee Palace said.

The two countries also signed a $3.5 billion deal on the operation and maintenance of the Doha Metro, currently being built as the country prepares for the football World Cup in 2022.

During the joint press conference with the Qatari Emir, Macron said the signed deals prove the strength of ties between the two countries.

Macron also urged all countries, including France, to give "a very clear commitment" to do more on terror financing.

He added that Iraq would announce its total "liberation" from the grip of ISIS extremist group by the end of December.

As for Sheikh Tamim, he said his country wants to resolve the rift with the Gulf states “but not at the expense of our dignity.”

While in Qatar, Macron traveled to al-Udeid air base, 30 kilometers southwest of Doha, where the US military leadership there briefed him on the fight against extremist organizations.

Macron also met with the 30-member French contingent at the base.

He stressed in his remarks at the air base that France wants to avoid partition in Syria.



Saudi Interior Minister Reviews Facilities Security Forces Operations in Riyadh

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz at the Facilities Security Forces Command in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz at the Facilities Security Forces Command in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Reviews Facilities Security Forces Operations in Riyadh

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz at the Facilities Security Forces Command in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz at the Facilities Security Forces Command in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz reviewed on Tuesday operations at the Facilities Security Forces Command in Riyadh, inaugurating two centers for command and control and cybersecurity, as well as launching digital services for personnel.

The minister inaugurated the center for command and control and security UAV systems, which comprises seven specialized units and is linked to 13 command and control centers at the forces’ branches across Saudi Arabia.

The center uses an integrated system of advanced electronic systems and platforms to receive reports, manage and monitor field operations, and exchange security information, improving response times and security coordination in cooperation with the National Center for Security Operations.

The center also uses drones equipped with artificial intelligence technologies to support field surveillance and improve the efficiency of security operations within the forces’ areas of responsibility.

During the visit, the minister inaugurated the cybersecurity center, which is responsible for protecting data and information, securing networks and devices, monitoring systems to identify and address vulnerabilities, and detecting and countering cyber threats. These functions aim to protect technical infrastructure and support business continuity.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud also launched services for Facilities Security Forces personnel through the Absher Interior application. Developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior’s unified development center under its Technology Affairs sector, the services aim to simplify procedures and enable personnel to access services electronically.

The minister reviewed the forces’ upgraded digital services and electronic systems, including the integration of the Mawared system with the Absher platform and the National Unified Access platform (Nafath), as well as secure technical interfaces integrating related systems. These integrations aim to improve service efficiency and advance digital transformation.


Coalition Says Destroyed Ballistic Missile Launcher Used by Houthis in Riyadh Attack

Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki speaks during a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (AP)
Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki speaks during a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (AP)
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Coalition Says Destroyed Ballistic Missile Launcher Used by Houthis in Riyadh Attack

Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki speaks during a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (AP)
Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki speaks during a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. (AP)

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said that the ballistic missile launcher used by the terrorist Houthi militia in an attack on Riyadh earlier on Tuesday was destroyed.

Earlier, Saudi forces intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at the Kingdom's capital, the coalition said.

The Kingdom "intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards Riyadh,” Coalition Spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said in a post on X.

The Saudi civil defense had earlier issued a warning by the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City to alert for a potential danger.


Saudi, Kuwait FMs Condemn Continued Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (Reuters file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (Reuters file)
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Saudi, Kuwait FMs Condemn Continued Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (Reuters file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (Reuters file)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Tuesday a phone call from his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to discuss regional developments.

They condemned the continued attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia against civilian areas in Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity in confronting anything that could undermine their security and stability.

They also reviewed the close fraternal relations between their countries.