Saudi Arabia and France stressed the need for a credible political solution to the Syrian crisis as the only way to permanently restore peace and fight terrorism. In a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the visit to France by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and interior minister, the two sides stressed support for the cessation of hostilities reiterating that the groups which have been named by the Security Council are the only parties excluded from the truce. They also stressed the need for allowing unlimited and immediate humanitarian aid to help all Syrians. The two sides discussed possible ways to strengthen international security and stability. They reaffirmed their commitment to the international coalition against Daesh (the so-called IS) and lauded all efforts to achieve stability in the region, including the formation of an anti-terrorism Islamist alliance. The Kingdom and France also expressed willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation to combat causes of extremism, racism and sectarianism, eliminating the sources of terror financing and curbing all forms of violence whether ethnic or communal. The two sides stressed the importance of reducing violence and extremism through action at the political, intellectual, and security levels. They also expressed the desire to develop new areas of bilateral cooperation for the promotion of investments and also reaffirmed their commitment to achieve progress in many bilateral projects, during the 3rd session of the joint committee to be held in Paris in April under the chairmanship of the Crown Prince and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development. The two sides also stressed their full support for the Iraqi government in its efforts to find a lasting political solution to the crisis through a national reconciliation program that includes all components of Iraqi society. They reaffirmed support for the Arab coalition in Yemen, the legitimate authorities in the country as well as the work done by Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and expressed their grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation. The two sides stressed their support for the unity, security and stability of Lebanon through official institutions, particularly the army. They stressed the need to elect a president as soon as possible. On the Palestinian issue, the two countries agreed on the need to resume the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Saudi Arabia expressed support for the French initiative to hold an international conference on this issue. Crown Prince Muhammad made a two-day official visit to France on March 3-4 at the invitation of French President Francois Hollande. During the visit, the Crown Prince held talks with President Hollande, Premier Manuel Valls, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault, Interior Minister Bernard Kaznov, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Environment, Energy and Seas Segolene Royal, Director General of External Security Bernard Bajolet, Director General of the Internal Security Patrick Mousey and the head of the Arab world Institute Jack Lang.
