Newly opened Louvre Abu Dhabi a 'bridge between civilizations'

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - More than a decade in the making, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors on Wednesday, winning praise from visiting French President Emmanuel Macron as a "bridge between civilizations" and religions.

On his first official visit to the Middle East, Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted at the museum by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashed al-Maktoum.

Macron, who is also scheduled to hold talks with Emirati officials, toured the 12-gallery museum - the first to carry the famed Louvre brand outside France - shortly after touching down in Abu Dhabi, along with the heads of state of Morocco and Afghanistan.