QATAR TRIES TO OBTAIN WHITE HOUSE SUPPORT, SIGNS $12BN CONTRACT TO BUY F-15 FIGHTER JETS FROM U.S.

Source: bbc.com

Qatar is trying to obtain the Trump administration’s support in the ongoing diplomatic crisis with some of its neighbouring states led by Saudi Arabia.

According to the Qatari Defense Ministry, Doha has signed a $12-billion contract to buy F-15 fighter jets from the US. The $12-billion deal was announced just days after US President Trump accused Qatar of supporting terrorism.

“The aircraft purchase was completed by Qatari Minister of Defence Khalid Al Attiyah and his US counterpart Jim Mattis in Washington DC on Wednesday, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

Attiyah said the agreement underscores the “longstanding commitment of the state of Qatar in jointly working with our friends and allies in the United States in advancing our military cooperation for closer strategic collaboration in our fight to counter violent extremism and promote peace and stability in our region and beyond”.

The deal is “yet another step in advancing our strategic and cooperative defence relationship with the United States, and we look forward to continuing our joint military efforts with our partners here in the US”, said Attiyah.

The sale “will give Qatar a state-of-the-art capability and increase security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and Qatar”, the Defence Department said in a statement,” the Qatari state-run media outlet Al Jazeera reported.

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