ImPlaneCrazy: Hmmm I don't see it as very likely any of the Middle Eastern carriers getting too involved with this deal; they're extremely focussed on their own bases out in the homelands and would be reluctant to explore 'new' territories.
Not so. Emirates tried to buy Austrian. Etihad has reportedly tendered for 30% of Montenegro Airlines. Both Emirates and Qatar are in the running to buy 49% of Adria. Qatar has just concluded a deal with the Romanians to give them fifth-freedom rights out of Bucharest.
Of course they are looking to expand outside their tiny home market. Qatar (pop 1.5 million) has more widebody seats in its orderbook than British Airways has in its current fleet.