JEDDAH – French President Francois Hollande discussed the situation in unrest-hit Syria with King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, here Sunday on his first visit to the Kingdom. “The president discussed with King Abdullah the peace process in the Middle East, the Iranian nuclear program, the Syrian crisis, as well as cooperation between both countries,” said French president's spokesman Romain Nadal. The Saudi Press Agency also reported that the two leaders discussed “developments on the Palestinian issue and the current situation in Syria” in addition to bilateral relations. Hollande's stop in Jeddah, where he met the King for the first time since he took office in May, comes after a brief visit to Beirut during which he pledged to protect Lebanon against threats of destabilization caused by the deadly conflict in neighboring Syria. “France plays an active role in the Middle East. We are the most active country on issues concerning Syria, Lebanon, and the peace process” between Israel and the Palestinians, he said. Paris and Riyadh have “very similar views” on the nearly 20-month conflict in Syria, French sources said. The two leaders were also focusing on energy and transport issues. “Saudi Arabia has always acted responsibly” regarding oil prices, showing interest in developing “nuclear energy,” said one French source. “We hope French companies would be more present in Saudi Arabia.” Later during a press conference, Hollande said that his meeting with King Abdullah was fruitful during which they discussed regional and bilateral issues. In Beirut, Hollande pledged support for Lebanon against threats of destabilization caused by the deadly conflict in neighboring Syria. “France will spare no effort to guarantee Lebanon's independence, unity and security,” Hollande said at a joint news conference with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. France is determined “to oppose with all its strength any bid to destabilize,” Lebanon, he added. Security issues and politics topped the agenda of his talks with Suleiman in Beirut, at a time when Lebanon has been reeling from the effects of the deadly conflict that has shaken Syria since mid-March 2011. The visit comes two weeks after Lebanon's opposition called on Prime Minister Najib Mikati, whose cabinet is dominated by powerful Syrian ally Hezbollah, to resign. The opposition accuses the government of complicity with the regime of embattled Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, a former powerbroker in Lebanon which has also been accused of carrying out the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. Calls for Mikati to quit were spurred by a massive car bombing in central Beirut last month that killed top security official Wissam Al-Hassan, in an attack the opposition blamed on Syria. – With agencies
