DOHA –  Qatar Airways backs the proposed $45 billion merger of EADS and BAE Systems , the Gulf carrier's chief executive said on Tuesday, arguing a combined entity would make better products.

Airbus parent EADS and BAE Systems are battling to save their tie-up, which would create a European aerospace and defense giant, amid competing government interests.

"It will make them strong," Akbar Al-Baker said. "They're coming back together because staying apart was not in their best interest. They can provide better products and customer service together."

(Reporting by Regan Doherty; Editing by David Holmes)