Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who is on a three-day State visit to France, received at his guest residence in Paris yesterday French President Jacques Chirac, who then escorted him to the Louvre Museum, where they visited the Islamic section. Crown Prince Abdullah presented to the museum two gifts, a replica of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and a replica of the door of the Ka’abah. Following lunch at the Elysées Palace, the two leaders continued the discussions they started on Wednesday.

At a press conference afterwards, Crown Prince Abdullah confirmed that Saudi Arabia and France hold similar views in all areas. To a question on Lebanon and Syria, he declared that both countries are friends of the Kingdom, which does not differentiate between them, and confirmed that what is desired is reconciliation, in line with the Taif Accord and in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559.
Yesterday, Crown Prince Abdullah also held extensive talks with French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, reviewing international developments, especially in the Middle East, as well as bilateral relations.

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