JEDDAH, 4 September 2006 -- Saudi Arabia and France yesterday decided to expand their relations, especially military cooperation, during talks between Crown Prince Sultan and the French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.

Sultan emphasized the longstanding relations between the two countries and referred to the historic meeting between King Faisal and President Charles de Gaulle. "Since then there has been no change in our policies," he added.

Alliot-Marie also met yesterday Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and discussed major regional and international issues including Lebanon and Iran. She handed the king a message from President Jacques Chirac.

Speaking to reporters, Alliot-Marie said the two countries had agreed to set up technical committees to boost defense links. "We decided to set up bilateral technical committees to boost defense cooperation, including the delivery of French military equipment to Saudi Arabia," she said.

"Our cooperation can grow on different strategic levels, especially in military training and technology transfer," said Alliot-Marie.

During the visit of Crown Prince Sultan to Paris, the two countries signed two military accords, which opened the way for the sale of weapons such as tanks and combat jets worth billions of dollars, said sources.

Alliot-Marie expressed her desire to implement the agreements signed in Paris as quick as possible. "This includes formation of technical committees," she said.

The French defense minister said: "Saudi Arabia is a friend and a strategic partner with France."

She said when tension increased in the region as a result of Israeli military offensive against Lebanon, France had contacted the Kingdom to exchange views and work together to resolve the crisis.

France played an important diplomatic role in reaching the UN Resolution 1701, which ended the war in Lebanon. The resolution enables Lebanon to regain its sovereignty, she said.

Alliot-Marie said her country would play a leading role in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). "Our military forces shall stay in the region as long as President Chirac wants," she said, adding that France would send an additional 2,000 men to south Lebanon.

"We are committed to helping Lebanon and rebuilding the country and we are coordinating with the international community, especially Saudi Arabia in this respect," she said.

Regarding efforts to disarm Hezbollah, the French defense minister said: "We want Hezbollah to respect the UN resolution and to disarm on its own." She said this was essential to ensure Lebanon's sovereignty.

Informed sources said the Jeddah meeting did not see the signing of any defense contracts between the two countries. "The trip was not aimed at signing deals," one French source said. The French-Saudi talks also covered Iran's nuclear activities, the source indicated. "We share the same concerns about the Iranian nuclear program," he said.

"I am happy to visit Saudi Arabia for the second time on the request of President Chirac," Alliot-Marie said during her meeting with the crown prince. Top officials including Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Chief of Staff Gen. Saleh Al-Mahya and top military commanders attended the Jeddah talks.

Prince Sultan, meanwhile, donated SR20 million to the College of Business Administration in Jeddah. Majed Al-Qassabi, director general of the Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation, announced this. The foundation signed an agreement with the college to provide the donation that includes eight annual scholarships equally distributed among Saudi boys and girls.

By Samir Al-Saadi

© Arab News 2006