RIYADH, 7 March 2006 — French President Jacques Chirac’s visit to the Kingdom was the main focus of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
At the beginning of the session at Al-Yamamah Palace, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah reviewed last week’s communication and negotiations with a number of world leaders and representatives. The king stressed the importance of the French president’s visit to the Kingdom and the historical relations between the two countries.
Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani said in a statement issued after the meeting that the welcoming of the French president to the Kingdom is demonstrative of the growing strategic relations.
The Council of Ministers respects the moderate policies of the French government and its stand on the importance of freeing the region from weapons of mass destruction, it said. The council stressed the importance of resolving the Iraq situation, the stability of Lebanon and international mediation in Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The council expressed hope that the upcoming Arab summit in Sudan would unite Arab policy.
Shoura Council President Saleh Bin Humaid presented a report to the ministers on his meeting with Danish Ambassador Hans Klingenberg, the council’s Secretary-General Saleh Al-Malik said here yesterday. He said that Klingenberg apologized on behalf of his country and people over the publication of controversial cartoons denigrating the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in a Danish newspaper last September.
that offensively depicted the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
