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
TT

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.



GCC Secretary-General and ILO Director-General Discuss Cooperation Relations

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
TT

GCC Secretary-General and ILO Director-General Discuss Cooperation Relations

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Wednesday with Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo in Geneva, Swiss Confederation.

At the beginning of the meeting, the secretary-general praised the efforts exerted by the ILO in promoting social justice and protecting workers’ rights, underscoring that the GCC states have developed numerous regulations and legislation to preserve and respect workers’ rights in line with international standards, SPA reported.

The ILO director-general expressed his appreciation and thanks to the GCC states for their significant support for the work of the ILO, commending the many steps taken by the GCC states in this regard.

A number of topics of common interest were also discussed during the meeting, most notably the review of cooperation relations between the GCC General Secretariat and the ILO, as well as several proposals to unify efforts between the two sides to advance the shared objectives of the GCC and the organization in this field.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran’s Targeting of Tankers Wedyan, Al Rekayyat

FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran’s Targeting of Tankers Wedyan, Al Rekayyat

FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo

Saudi Arabia has condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s targeting of the Saudi tanker Wedyan while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the Kingdom stressed that “these unacceptable attacks constitute an assault on the security and safety of international navigation, as well as the security of global energy supplies.”

“The Kingdom affirms that Iran’s continued launching of these attacks constitutes a grave violation of international law and norms, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which guarantee freedom of navigation and the safe passage through maritime routes,” the statement read.

The Kingdom also “reiterates its call on Iran to immediately cease all actions that threaten regional security, international maritime safety, and energy supplies, and affirms that Iran bears full responsibility for these attacks and all their damage and repercussions,” the ministry added.


Mediator Qatar Calls for De-escalation after Iran Attacks

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
TT

Mediator Qatar Calls for De-escalation after Iran Attacks

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud

Qatar on Wednesday condemned strikes carried out by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain and called for diplomacy, as hostilities resumed following attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar, a key intermediary in talks between Iran and the United States, said it "emphasizes the need to spare the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks,” in a foreign ministry statement posted on X.

Doha also emphasized the need to "pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to de-escalate tensions, and to build upon the progress achieved under the memorandum of understanding.”

The US military attacked Iran early Wednesday after it said Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait.