RIYADH, 14 November — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, held talks here yesterday with French President Jacques Chirac on the war against terrorism and the need to resolve the protracted Palestinian crisis.
"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 Saudi Press Agency reported.
It said the talks at Al-Yamamah Palace, attended by top officials including Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, also emphasized the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and establish an independent state.
Chirac, who arrived here earlier yesterday 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, lift injustice and protect world peace and stability, either through international forums or through their joint efforts. The talks were also attended by Prince Sultan and top officials in both sides.
In Abu Dhabi, he stressed the importance of the United Nations in finding a solution for Afghanistan and in combating terrorism.
