France opens First Military Base in Persian Gulf

France has opened its first military base in the Persian Gulf, strategically placed in Abu Dhabi, between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.

France and the United Arab Emirates each raised flags over their naval base on Tuesday as forces from both nations stood at attention and French President Nicolas Sarkozy looked on. Around 500

French soldiers will be stationed there, part of an effort by Paris to boost its profile in the oil- and gas-rich region. It it is also to serve as a stopover point en route to Afghanistan, where 2,800 French soldiers are currently fighting against Taliban militants.

The base is France's first major foreign military installation since the 1960s and its first outside Africa. It is also expected to contribute to anti-piracy patrols off Somalia and guard vital Persian Gulf shipping lanes. The ceremony was part of a two-day trip for Sarkozy, who is also to visit a future site of a branch of the Louvre Museum, and discuss business deals including French sponsored nuclear power stations in the region.

Source:Ecoterra, May 26, 2009

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