France to sign defense contracts with Doha

A French source said on Sunday that French Defense Minister Allan Richard will visit Doha on October 24 to sign defense contracts with Qatar.

The French source was quoted as saying these contracts will be organized between the French and Qatari authorities at a high-ranking level through setting up a committee including the armies' chiefs of staff in the two countries.

The source indicated that French - Qatari military maneuvers will be carried out on October 21 - 22 in which some 600 French soldiers are taking part in the course of defense agreements between the two countries.

Currently, the commander of the French Fleet in the Indian ocean Admiral Jan Patties, is visiting Qatar on the occasion of carrying out these maneuvers.

On Saturday Admiral Patties said in a press conference that these maneuvers are a practical translation of France's commitment to ensure the security of Qatar.

Since 1994, France has been linked to Qatar by a defense agreement. French military equipment constitutes 80% of that of the Qatari forces, which number 10,000 soldiers.