France agrees ‘strategic’ pact with Qatar

DOHA: Qatar and France signed a deal on Monday to cooperate on security and economic matters, in a boost to the tiny Gulf state still locked in a diplomatic rift with neighbouring Saudi Arabia and its allies.

Qatar’s top diplomat Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Doha to sign the "strategic dialogue" agreement. The deal marked a "new phase" for the two countries, Al-Thani said during a press conference.

"This platform will include cooperation in different areas between the two countries, including defence security, regional security as well as energy, economy and culture," he added. Le Drian said the agreement "obliges" Paris and Doha to have regular meetings.