Fears grow for French loans at Louvre Abu Dhabi as war rages

"The works must be removed," said Didier Selles -- who helped broker the original agreement between France and the UAE. He told Telerama magazine the artefacts were at risk following the outbreak of war opposing Israel and the United States to Iran."

"France's culture ministry sought to reassure critics, telling AFP that French authorities were "in close and regular contact with the authorities of the United Arab Emirates to ensure the protection of the works loaned by France to the Louvre Abu Dhabi"."

"Under the agreement with the UAE, France agreed to provide expertise, lend works of art and organise exhibitions, in return for one billion euros ($1.1 billion), including €400 million just licensing the use of the Louvre name."

The Louvre Abu Dhabi, opened in 2017 as France's only foreign museum branch, faces mounting safety concerns following the escalation of Middle East conflict. Nearly 1,800 Iranian drone and missile strikes have been launched since February 28th, though the museum has remained undamaged. Approximately 250 French artworks are on loan to the museum, with major French institutions declining to specify which pieces. French officials and cultural figures, including the original agreement broker, are calling for artwork removal. France's culture ministry maintains close contact with UAE authorities to ensure protection of loaned works. The original agreement provided France one billion euros, with an extension in 2021 adding €165 million through 2047.

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