Emmanuel Macron has insisted Cyprus can ‘count on France’ as he rubbed salt in the wound of Britain’s military embarrassment.
The French president swiped at the UK’s difficulties defending the crucial RAF Akrotiri base from Iranian reprisals as he visited the island yesterday.
A glossy video posted on social media by Mr Macron overnight shows him posing with forces personnel and a variety of impressive military hardware including the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
It features people singing national anthem La Marseillaise and dramatic classical music, as Mr Macron comments: ‘Your presence demonstrates the power of France.’
Paris has taken the opportunity to put on a display of power as the UK struggles to mobilise even a single warship to protect Cyprus.
He was hugged by his Cypriot counterpart on the tarmac after his presidential plane taxied to a halt at Paphos airport.
Emmanuel Macron has insisted Cyprus can ‘count on France’ as he rubbed salt in the wound of Britain’s military embarrassment. He is pictured on the French aircraft carrier in the Med
Mr Macron was hugged by his Cypriot counterpart on the tarmac after his presidential plane taxied to a halt at Paphos airport yesterday
Mr Macron is shown equipment on the aircraft carrier yesterday
In an apparent dig at Keir Starmer (pictured), Mr Macron said ‘an attack on Cyprus is an attack on all Europe’
HMS Dragon is still stranded in Portsmouth being prepared for deployment to Cyprus
In an apparent dig at Keir Starmer, he said ‘an attack on Cyprus is an attack on all Europe’.
Mr Macron also promised French vessels will protect the Strait of Hormuz trade route which has been closed by Iran, sending oil prices spiralling – although not until after the ‘hot’ phase of the conflict ends.
In contrast, the UK’s £1billion HMS Dragon will spend at least another two days in Portsmouth before setting off for Cyprus.
She is then expected to take a week to reach Cyprus, by which point, Italian, French, Spanish and Netherlands ships should have arrived.
Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides said he wanted to ‘warmly thank’ Mr Macron for France’s ‘constant support for our country’.
‘As you have pointed out, when Cyprus is attacked, it is all of Europe that is attacked, and France’s unwavering support illustrates our partner’s commitment in the face of the challenges affecting our region and Europe,’ he posted on X.
The RAF has intercepted drones from Iranian forces and proxies. Defence sources confirmed the engagements over Jordan and Bahrain last night.
The attack submarine HMS Anson is also understood to have been diverted from exercises in Australia to head for the Middle East.
But Downing Street sources were forced to dampen speculation that HMS Prince of Wales is to set sail for the Middle East.
The £3.5billion aircraft carrier had been placed on an advanced state of readiness, only for Mr Trump to tell the UK on Saturday: ‘We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won!’
Mr Macron speaking to military personnel at Paphos airport yesterday
Mr Macron is feted by a guard of honour on arrival on Cyprus yesterday
