nearly 200 French gendarmes and police officers will support the Qatari security forces

About 220 French gendarmes and police officers will fly to Qatar at the end of the month to support the local authorities in the organization of the Football World Cup, franceinfo learned from the Ministry of the Interior, confirming information from the Chained Duck to be published Wednesday, October 5.

This cooperation between the two countries, which mainly concerns the gendarmes, is carried out within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement, “signed on March 15, 2021 and which will enter into force on November 1st”, we specify. The French gendarmes will have the task “to provide high-level expertise and specialized operational support”, particularly with regard to the fight against drones, the neutralization of explosive devices and the fight against hooliganism.

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The ministry, which explains that it responded to it, explains that it responded favorably to “the request of the Qatari authorities” as it has done in the past for other sporting events”. The agreement provides that French assistance will be provided at “almost zero cost”with the Qatari authorities covering the travel and accommodation expenses of the 220 French agents.