French-Qatari maneuvers concluded

French and Qatari soldiers on Wednesday concluded a series of joint military maneuvers that started one month earlier. These maneuvers covered training on dismantling explosives and mines, a staged attack on a French warship, landing operations by parachute and operations to release hostages.

The maneuvers, in which French forces that came from Djibouti took part, were held in a desert area outside Doha.

France and Qatar have been, since 1994, linked by a joint defense agreement.

A committee composed of the army chiefs of staff in the two countries, has been holding regular meetings since the beginning of 1999 to plan for joint exercises and the continued training of Qatari army officers.

The army of Qatar, which numbers 10,000 men, receives 80% of its military weapons from France.