RIYADH, 3 June 2008 -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday received a message from French President Nicholas Sarkozy, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The message was handed to the king by visiting French Defense Minister Herve Morin during a meeting at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.
King Abdullah discussed issues of mutual concern and the latest regional and international developments with the French minister, SPA said.
Morin arrived in Jeddah earlier in the day on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom. He was received at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport by the commander of the armed forces in the Makkah province, senior government officials and French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot.
The French minister, who arrived in the Kingdom from Singapore, will also visit Riyadh before returning to Paris today.
According to a senior official from the French Embassy, Morin discussed with the king his country's peace efforts in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon.
"This is Morin's second visit to the Kingdom in 10 months and it amply demonstrates the strategic partnership between the two countries," the diplomat said. He, however, ruled out signing of any bilateral agreements during the current visit.
The visiting minister is expected to discuss defense-related issues with Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khaled ibn Sultan in Jeddah and meet with Prince Miteb ibn Abdullah, assistant commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs, in Riyadh today.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry has temporarily imposed a ban on the import of cows, sheep, goats, camels and gazelles from France due to the spread of Rift Valley Fever in the country.
The decision was based on a report carried by the bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 15, which said that the Rift Valley Fever was detected in 12 heads of cattle in France.
By Mohammed Rasooldeen
© Arab News 2008
