NAT Zulus first post is a very good one, my situation was exactly like his and sounds like we were and are in the same companies...
However, I was very close to jumping ship to go to a ME carrier and am so happy now that I didnt, fortunately a UK longhaul carrier saved me from the sand.
What I would add to NAT Zulus posts are that before going to the ME I would think very carefully as flying longhaul out there is not quite the same, you will be in a shiny new jet but you will fly your pants off with minimum rests and minimum days off at home or even downroute.
Good Luck.