By NNN-KUNA
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia and France have reiterated here that their points of view regarding various regional and international issues were identical especially regarding ways of dealing with the political crisis in Lebanon.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, in a joint press conference with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner Monday, said the talks touched on the peace process in the region, the Lebanese presidential crisis, the situation in Iraq and the Iranian nuclear dossier.
He said that the talks also focused on the international efforts being exerted to combating terrorism and support dialogue and understanding among religions and cultures.
He said the talks were characterised by “depth, clarity”, adding that the talks resulted in the signing of a number of agreements in the economic, investment, cultural, scientific and security spheres.
On the Lebanese issue, Prince Saud Al-Faisal expressed hope that the Lebanese factions agree on the Arab League’s plan to appoint the president by consensus without the need to have domination by the majority on the minority, nor the minority would interfere in the government’s work concerning Lebanon’s essential interests.
He called on Syria to work on harnessing its influential role for the benefit of Lebanon and its independence and sovereignty.
With regard to Iran’s nuclear file, al-Faisal referred to the agreement of both sides on the importance of finding a peaceful solution to this file and not to postpone it, which could lead to many “unwanted consequences” in the region, a matter that necessitates Iran to respond to the demands of the UN nuclear watchdog, including the Convention on the Prevention of the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in order to spare the entire region disadvantages of military escalation.
On the security situation in Iraq, Prince al-Faisal expressed hope that the government is implementing the political programme for supplementing existing military effort in Iraq through reconciliation among Iraqis and amending the constitution so that every Iraqi should have equal rights and duties with others.