Paris [France], March 3: France will support its Gulf allies and Jordan following Iranian attacks, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Paris on Monday.
"To friendly countries that have been deliberately targeted with missiles and drones by the Revolutionary Guards and drawn into a war they did not choose - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan - France expresses its full support and solidarity," Barrot said, adding that Paris is ready to take part in their defence.
"This is about ensuring the security of our facilities, our bases, and our military personnel in the region and, as I have already said, being ready to contribute to the defence of our partners, should they request it in a reasonable manner and in accordance with international law," he added.
President Emmanuel Macron had announced on Sunday evening that France would strengthen its military presence in the Middle East for this purpose.
A hangar at the French naval base in the port of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates was hit in a drone attack, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said on Sunday, adding that the damage was limited.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom earlier condemned "in the strongest terms" Iranian attacks on countries in the Middle East in a joint statement issued on Saturday.
Source: Qatar Tribune
