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French President Sarkozy opens UAE base French President Sarkozy opens UAE base
(about 2 hours later)
President Nicolas Sarkozy has formally opened a French military base in the United Arab Emirates, France's first permanent base in the Gulf.President Nicolas Sarkozy has formally opened a French military base in the United Arab Emirates, France's first permanent base in the Gulf.
The flags of France and the UAE were raised at a ceremony at the so-called "Peace Camp" in the Abu Dhabi emirate.The flags of France and the UAE were raised at a ceremony at the so-called "Peace Camp" in the Abu Dhabi emirate.
France is a leading military supplier to the Gulf state, and signed a nuclear co-operation agreement last year.France is a leading military supplier to the Gulf state, and signed a nuclear co-operation agreement last year.
Its new base will host up to 500 French troops and include a navy base, air base, and training camp.Its new base will host up to 500 French troops and include a navy base, air base, and training camp.
Mr Sarkozy flew to Abu Dhabi on Monday with four ministers and a delegation of businessmen. The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in Abu Dhabi says the new military base, France's first outside its own territory for many years, comes on the back of class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7189481.stm">strengthening diplomatic and military ties between class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/998481.stm">France and class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/737620.stm">the United Arab Emirates.
In a recent interview with Diplomatie magazine, he said that the military presence underscored France's desire "to participate fully in the stability of this region that is essential for the world's equilibrium". Through this base - the first in the Middle East - France is ready to shoulder its responsibilities to ensure stability in this strategic region President Nicolas Sarkozy
Analysts say the move positions class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/998481.stm">France - along with the US and UK, which already have bases in the Gulf - in the forefront for lucrative defence contracts and nuclear energy deals. The 500 troops will be there on a support and training capacity, rather than taking part in actual military operations.
Diplomacy But our correspondent says the base will provide all-important reassurance to the Emirates, which, along with many of its Arab neighbours, is concerned about the nuclear threat posed by Iran.
Mr Sarkozy opened his 20-hour visit to class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/country_profiles/737620.stm">the United Arab Emirates by dining with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed al-Nahyan, AFP news agency reported. "Be assured that France is on your side in the event your security is at risk," Mr Sarkozy said in an interview with the UAE's official news agency.
An official accompanying him said Mr Sarkozy also hoped to visit Pakistan in the autumn to show his support for Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in his fight against Taliban insurgents. "Through this base - the first in the Middle East - France is ready to shoulder its responsibilities to ensure stability in this strategic region."
France and Pakistan agreed to cooperate in the field of civilian nuclear energy during Mr Zardari's visit to Paris earlier this month, but details of the plan have yet to be agreed. An aide to Mr Sarkozy is quoted by AFP news agency linking the base to an alleged Iranian threat: "We are deliberately taking a deterrent stance. If Iran were to attack, we would effectively be attacked also."
An aide to the French leader also said that India will be guest of honour at France's national day celebrations this year. Correspondents say the base has drawn some criticism in French political circles for just that reason, with centrist politician Francois Bayrou warning that France risked being dragged into a regional war.
Indian regiments would march in front of the French army in Paris on 14 July and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be present at the parade, the official said. Business partnership
Mr Sarkozy flew to Abu Dhabi on Monday with four ministers and a delegation of senior businesspeople.
He opened the visit by dining with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Officials said talks are continuing over the possible sale of 60 new Rafale jets to the UAE in a deal worth up to eight billion euros ($11bn).
The multi-role Rafale - which has yet to find a foreign buyer - could replace the Emirates' fleet of French Mirage 2000 combat planes.
In addition to the inauguration of Peace Camp, Nicolas Sarkozy will visit the site of a Louvre Museum branch which France is opening in the United Arab Emirates.
The US maintains the predominant foreign military presence in the Gulf, with key air bases and logistics operations, and its Fifth Fleet housed in Bahrain.
However, Peace Camp gives France a strategic position on the vital Gulf shipping corridor, which carries about 40% of the world's petroleum supplies.