The European Union will play a bigger role compared to America in the Middle East and North Africa, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said at France’s annual ambassadors’ conference, August 31.

“The world is changing,” he said. “President Obama has presented a new vision of American military engagement which involves the Europeans assuming their responsibilities.”

In Libya, “Europeans have shown for the first time that they are capable of intervention in a decisive way, with their allies, in an open conflict on their doorstep,” he said.

He also said the EU should play a bigger role in the Israeli peace process. “The role of the U.S. is incontrovertible and irreplaceable, but everyone can see it is not sufficient,” he said. “It is necessary to enlarge the circle of negotiators …. We must keep in mind that the European Union is the top economic partner of Israel and the top aid donor to the Palestinians.”

Sarkozy also warned Iran that “Its military nuclear and ballistic ambitions constitute a growing threat that may lead to a preventive attack against Iranian sites that would provoke a major crisis that France wants to avoid at all costs.”

The Trumpet has long forecast that Europe will be pushed to intervene in the Middle East, taking care of Iran and sending troops to Israel. Libya has put Europe on the path to becoming more involved in the Middle East.

Watch for Europe to become more assertive in the Middle East.