RIYADH, 7 January 2007 — French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said here yesterday that France was not calling for a withdrawal of US-led troops in Iraq.

“France has never called for a withdrawal of foreign troops in Iraq,” he said. “These troops are there based on a UN resolution,” the French minister said while addressing a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal.

Douste-Blazy said the escalation of violence in the war-torn country, where an estimated 100 to 130 Iraqis die each day and 1.6 million people have been displaced, was “worrisome”.

The minister said that France stressed the importance of a return to a “sovereign Iraqi nation” where all sectors representing Iraqi people would participate in the government. This, he added, “would curb terrorist groups.”

The comments come a day after French President Jacques Chirac unleashed a torrent of criticism against the US invasion of Iraq, saying the invasion, which France opposed, had boosted the spread of terrorism in the region.

The ministers held extensive talks in the Saudi capital and discussed several topics, such as the situation in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Iran, and Somalia.

Foreign Minister Saud said the talks were positive and fruitful.

Commenting on a conference held recently in Paris for the rebuilding of Lebanon, the French minister said his government supports Lebanese sovereignty.

“France stresses the importance of a sovereign Lebanon and the noninterference of outsiders,” he said.

“We fully support (Prime Minister) Fouad Siniora and his work and his government’s work... We are encouraging the Lebanese government to implement economic reforms.”

He said his government was closely following efforts by the Arab League to end a standoff between the government and the opposition in Lebanon.

Prince Saud denied that a recent meeting of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah with Hezbollah officials meant the Kingdom was taking sides in the issue.

“The meeting came following a request from Hezbollah,” he said. “Saudi Arabia is a friend to Lebanon and all of its segments.”

Answering a question about Saudi mediation to resolve the Lebanese impasse, Saud said the Lebanese would be better off solving their own differences.

On the issue of Palestine, the French foreign minister said it was “time for action rather than words”, adding that Israel should adhere to international resolutions.

Prince Saud denied an Arab satellite channel report that quoted a British newspaper as saying that an alliance would be formed between Saudi Arabia, the United States and Israel to hit Iran.

“This is ridiculous,” said the prince. “Saudi Arabia will never take part in attacking another Islamic country and cooperating with Israel.”

Saud said that he and Douste-Blazy also discussed the Iranian nuclear program and its possible risks to the region, especially when the region is witnessing several conflicts. “Therefore we have agreed on the importance of ridding the region of all nuclear weapons, including those of Israel, and that doing so should be through diplomacy and dialogue.”

He also said that the two ministers discussed the situation in Somalia and agreed that if the Ethiopian troops entered Somalia on an invitation from the government, it was welcome, but if not, then the sovereignty of the country should be respected.