Qatar signed a multi-billion-euro deal with French defence group Dassault on Monday to buy 24 Rafale fighter jets, in a ceremony attended by the leaders of both countries in Doha.

The contract was signed by Dassault CEO Eric Trappier and Qatari General Ahmed al-Malki, who oversaw negotiations for the 6.3-billion-euro ($7-billion) contract.

French President Francois Hollande told Malki during the ceremony that Qatar had made a "good choice" in purchasing the warplanes, an AFP correspondent said.