ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 26, SPA -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy formally opened his nation's first militarybase in the Gulf on Tuesday. Sarkozy watched the French and UAE flags rise over thenaval base on the Gulf outside the capital as forces fromboth nations stood at attention, according to a report of Associated Press. The ceremony is part of a two-day trip that includes avisit to the future site of a branch of the Louvre Museum.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/668196