Macron trolls Britain's military shambles over Cyprus base
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.'
Macron shows strength as UK struggles to deploy warship
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.
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 ($1.3b) HMS Dragon will spend at least another two days in Portsmouth before setting off for Cyprus.
European warships to reach Cyprus before HMS Dragon
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 ($4.7b) 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!'
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Macron heads to Cyprus while Starmer stays away
Emmanuel Macron will visit Cyprus on Monday as France deploys warships to the Mediterranean - while Sir Keir Starmer stays put.
Macron will meet Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides and Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Paphos to show 'solidarity' and detail moves to 'strengthen security around Cyprus and in the eastern Mediterranean', the Elysee said on Sunday.
It comes after drone attacks on RAF Akrotiri on March 1, which saw the families of British personnel evacuated after strong blasts hit the base.
Cyprus was again targeted by Iranian-made drones on Monday, leading Macron to order France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean.
He also sent a frigate and air defence units to the island nation, which is home to around 2,000 British personnel and their families.
The Elysee said: 'This trip is intended to demonstrate France's solidarity with Cyprus, a member state of the European Union with which we have a strategic partnership.'
France has insisted its stance in the region is 'strictly defensive'.
The visit will also allow Macron 'to emphasise the importance of guaranteeing freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, in particular through the European Union's Aspides maritime operation', his office added.
There have been numerous attacks on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint in the Gulf, since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28.
