abu dhabi • France, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates began joint military exercises involving land, sea and air forces in the UAE yesterday, the official WAM news agency reported.

The military training, which will last for several days and whose exact location was not disclosed, is part of the Gulf Shield manoeuvres held regularly by France and the UAE, WAM added. A total of 1,500 French, 2,500 Emirati and 1,300 Qatari troops are involved in the exercises, the French defence ministry website said.

The two countries signed a defence agreement following the 1991 Gulf War but this is the first time Qatar has taken part in the exercises, WAM added.

The pact, concluded in 1995, allows for regular joint manoeuvres by units from the two countries' armed forces with previous exercises held in 1996, 2000 and 2005. This year's war games are being held in both Qatar and the UAE, WAM said.

Saudi eyes tallest tower

dubai • Kingdom Holding Co, controlled by Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, plans to invite bids before July for contracts to build the world's tallest tower in Saudi Arabia, a weekly magazine said.

The Mile High tower, which could reach 1,600 metres in height, is to be built in Jeddah and may cost up to $10bn, the London-based Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) said in its latest issue.

Dubai's Emaar Properties, the largest Arab developer by market value, is currently building the Burj Dubai, part of a $20bn project in the emirate, which it says will be the world's tallest building. The Mile High tower could be twice as tall as the Burj Dubai, MEED said.