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Doha, Qatar: Faithful to the strategic partnership that binds it to Qatar, France immediately and at the highest level, expressed its solidarity with Qatar, the French embassy in Doha said in a statement.
The statement state that the President of France H E Emmanuel Macron spoke with Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to express France’s full support.
As well, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
Other contacts have taken place and will continue to take place.
The statement added “This solidarity is active . France stands alongside its partners and friends in the region, including Qatar, to help ensure their security and territorial integrity. We are bound by a defence agreement with Qatar, and France a trusted partner, honours its commitments in this difficult period. France has deployed Rafale fighters’ jet, air Defence systems and airborne radar capabilities in the region.
It will continue to do so for as long as the situation requires.”
It also said that France, like Qatar, has always believed that diplomacy and dialogue should prevail. It has called for an emergency meeting of the Security Council in the first hours of the conflict and will spare no effort to facilitate, as soon as possible, a way out of the crisis, in conjunction with its regional partners.
“Amid the unacceptable attacks targeting them, I wish to reaffirm to our Qatari friends France’s unwavering solidarity and assure them of our full commitment to stand by their side.
I would also like to express our deep gratitude for the remarkable effectiveness of the military means deployed in support of our collective security ,” stated Ambassador of France to Qatar H E Arnaud Pescheux.
“Our Embassy is fully mobilised in support of its nationals and in close liaison with the Qatari authorities.”
