France will open a permanent military base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced following a visit to the country.
Up to 500 troops will be stationed at the base in Abu Dhabi.
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Sarkozy says France is responding to the needs of its friends.
“France and the Emirates signed a reciprocal defence accord in 1995,” he says.
“Our friends from the Emirates asked that this accord be prolonged and asked that a base with 400 personnel be opened.”
The two nations also signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, which is the first step towards building a nuclear reactor in the UAE.
By staff writer
