JEDDAH, 18 April — A flotilla of French naval ships will make port call at Jeddah by the end of this month, it was announced yesterday. The French School Naval Group will visit Jeddah port from April 23 to 26 on its way back to France after a five-month world tour, a statement released by the French Embassy in Riyadh said. The fleet includes the helicopter carrier Jeanne d’arc, which made a port call in Jeddah in November 1986, and frigates Georges Leygues, La Fayette and LST Ouragan. A fifth ship, the minesweeper Cephee, will visit Jeddah port from April 25 to 27 as part of a European anti-mine task force. The French Navy ships with young commissioned officers newly graduated from the French Naval Academy on board, will take part in drills with units from Saudi Naval Forces, the statement said.
