French President Jacques Chirac met Tuesday with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz, in order to discuss the war against terrorism and the need to resolve the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to the Jeddah-based Arab News.
"During their talks, King Fahd and President Chirac exchanged views on major international issues of mutual concern, especially the war against terrorism, the consequences of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States, and the developments in Palestine," the paper quoted the Saudi Press Agency as reporting.
It said the talks also emphasized the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent state.
Chirac, who arrived here earlier Tuesday on the last leg of a Middle East tour that also took him to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, held a separate meeting with Prince Abdullah and discussed ways of strengthening Saudi-French relations.
"They also discussed the situation in the occupied Arab territories and the need to reach a just solution to the Palestinian issue, realizing the dream of the Palestinians to have an independent state and ensuring peace and stability in the region," the SPA reported.
The two leaders reviewed the efforts of both Saudi Arabia and France to establish truth, end injustice and protect world peace and stability, either through international forums or through their joint efforts.
In Abu Dhabi and Cairo, Chirac stressed the importance of the United Nations in finding a solution for the war in Afghanistan and in combating terrorism – Albawaba.com
