ABSTRACT
Meanwhile the diplomatic landscape had been somewhat modified. In France, the Revolution and then the Empire were looking for a reorientation of their external policy. Contacts took place with a view to establish friendly relations between Oman and France. Napoloeon’s expedition to Egypt in 1798-1799 constituted a threat to the entire British colonial system in the East. So for England nothing was more urgent than to try and plug the gap by signing a first treaty with Oman. Nevertheless, France continued to maintain relations with the Omanis, so throwing its weight on to the politico-colonial chequer board in the region.
