Assistant Deputy Commander of National Guard meets with French

Paris, June 17, SPA -- Prince General Mit'eb bin Abdullah bin
Abdulaziz, Assistant Deputy Commander of the National Guard for
Military Affairs, met in Paris today with French Defense Minister
Hervé Maureen.

During the meeting, they exchanged bilateral talks and reviewed
issues of common interest between the two countries.

Following the meeting, Prince Met'eb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
expressed pleasure to meet the invitation of French Defense Minister
to visit France and attend the opening of the military exhibition.

He said, "Saudi French relations are enjoying high profile under the
co-leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah
bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector
General, and France's President Nicolas Sarkozy.

On his part, the Minister of Defense said France's relationship
with Saudi Arabia is not just an old friendship, but France has
already established strategic relations with the Kingdom in several
areas including military cooperation, and that talks between the two
countries are being held on regular bases.

Today, we have dealt with routine topics as were in previous
meetings, he said.

He added that the Saudi French relations were beyond mere trade
and arming as Saudi Arabia is a partner who enjoys privileges.
He emphasized that France shares common positions with Saudi
Arabia as regards foreign policy in the Middle East. He said, "Every
time and then, we discuss the Lebanese, Iranian and occupied
territories issues". --SPA