This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7189280.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| France to station forces in Gulf | France to station forces in Gulf |
| (2 days later) | |
| France and the UAE have signed a deal allowing France to set up a permanent military base. The US is the only western power with bases in the region. | |
| The deal allows for the stationing of up to 500 permanent military personnel in the UAE's largest emirate Abu Dhabi. | The deal allows for the stationing of up to 500 permanent military personnel in the UAE's largest emirate Abu Dhabi. |
| The two countries also signed a deal to develop peaceful nuclear energy during a visit by President Nicolas Sarkozy. | The two countries also signed a deal to develop peaceful nuclear energy during a visit by President Nicolas Sarkozy. |
| The agreement on nuclear energy is the latest in a series of similar deals between France and Arab countries. | The agreement on nuclear energy is the latest in a series of similar deals between France and Arab countries. |
| The Emirates' WAM news agency said that an agreement would "boost relations between the two friendly countries through military cooperation". | The Emirates' WAM news agency said that an agreement would "boost relations between the two friendly countries through military cooperation". |
| The agreement was inked by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan and French Defence Minister Herve Morin, WAM said. | The agreement was inked by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan and French Defence Minister Herve Morin, WAM said. |
| Further details about the agreement were not immediately available. | Further details about the agreement were not immediately available. |
| Correspondents say the base will give France new ability to project its forces into a strategic oil-producing region. | Correspondents say the base will give France new ability to project its forces into a strategic oil-producing region. |
| The Gulf lives with chronic tension between the six Sunni Arab-led states on the Arabian peninsula, all strong US allies, on the one hand and America's arch-foe Iran, which is Shia Muslim. | The Gulf lives with chronic tension between the six Sunni Arab-led states on the Arabian peninsula, all strong US allies, on the one hand and America's arch-foe Iran, which is Shia Muslim. |
| The US has a string of military bases in Gulf countries, including several major army, naval and air force installations with thousands of personnel. | The US has a string of military bases in Gulf countries, including several major army, naval and air force installations with thousands of personnel. |