Speaking to reporters after holding talks with Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, he said his discussions in Riyadh focused mainly on bilateral ties and major regional and international developments.

The talks were attended by Prince Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, and other senior officials.

He highlighted the strategic, political and economic partnership relation between Saudi Arabia and France and commended the Kingdom’s balanced regional and global policies.

“We have plans to upgrade the navy and cooperate in the area of air defense with the Kingdom,” the prime minister said.

He also pointed out that the number of Saudi students studying in France has increased two fold and the bilateral trade volume rose by 75 percent during the past three years.

The French premier, who left for Abu Dhabi after concluding a 24-hour visit to the Kingdom, also spoke about developments in Egypt.

“We have been closely watching the developments in the region, particularly the recent events in Egypt and the incidents in Tunisia before it,” Fillon said, indicating that people’s rights must be respected by all governments.

He also said that Egyptians should be allowed to decide their future and choose their own government, which could fulfill their expectations.

He added that freedom of speech and respecting human rights are fundamental principles in a democratic state.

He urged new Egyptian authorities to carry out reforms toward making their country a “free and pluralist society.”

France has historic and close relations with both Tunisia and Egypt.

On Friday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy saluted Hosni Mubarak’s “courageous and necessary” decision to step down, and called for free and fair elections.

Speaking on Lebanon, the prime minister said that whichever government comes to power should ensure that it gets the support of the international community for its smooth function.

The premier, who arrived in Jeddah on Friday evening, visited the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off the Red Sea city on Saturday.

The aircraft carrier is currently taking part in a joint Saudi-French navy and air force exercise. He also met with Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed.

French exports to the Kingdom are estimated at 3.915 billion euros.

During his visit to French navy’s flagship, the visiting premier urged the Kingdom to exercise stronger sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program. “Such sanctions will bring Iran to the negotiating table,” the visiting official said.

He warned that Iran’s nuclear capability is a threat to the region, which is already tense. The premier was addressing more than 1,000 sailors gathered on board the Charles de Gaulle.