U.S., Qatar Forces Hold Military Exercise

The United States teamed up with the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar for military exercises Saturday.

About 4,000 U.S. Marines and Navy sailors are taking part in four days of maneuvers, said Cmdr. T. McCreary, spokesman for the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

The maneuvers, held under a defense cooperation agreement, had been scheduled for some time - not ordered in reaction to any event, McCreary said.

Political tension in Qatar has been high since a failed coup attempt in February.