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.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.