(Reuters) - Orange on Thursday reported third-quarter profit that was slightly ahead of market expectations, driven by a strong performance by its Africa and Middle East business.
The French telecom operator posted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization after leases (EBITDAaL), excluding Spain, of 3.35 billion euros ($3.61 billion). That was slightly above the 3.34 billion forecast by analysts in a company-compiled consensus.
($1 = 0.9267 euros)
(Reporting by Leo Marchandon and Michal Aleksandrowicz)