Prince Saud al-Faisal, the foreign minister, held a meeting here yesterday with his French counterpart Philippe Douste-Blazy.

Addressing a press conference following the meeting Douste-Blazy highlighted he existing friendly relations between the Kingdom and France.

He saluted the Kingdom’s policy in the fields of economic and social reforms.

The French foreign minister said his talks with Prince Saud had covered the developments of the situation in the Middle East, and added that ’our analysis were similar’.

He expressed anxiety over continuation of violence between Israel and Lebanon, and said France supports the ongoing efforts within the framework of the UN to determine conditions of ceasefire.

He reiterated the keenness of his country on implementing the resolution 1559 as well as on ensuring the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon.

’We do condemn shelling the locations of the Lebanese army, and France believes in the importance of deployment of the Lebanese army in all Lebanese territories’, he said.

The minister confirmed that France supports the Lebanese Premier, and believes in the importance of the preservation of the infrastructure installations and institutions.

He urged Israel to avoid targeting the civilians and the infrastructure installations in Lebanon as well as the UN’s troops in South Lebanon.

On his part, Prince Saud said views of the two countries were about to be identical on issues that concern the Middle East region.

He pointed out that the existing instability in the Middle East region was caused by failure to settle the Arab-Israeli dispute.

He slammed the Israeli arrogant policy towards its neighboring Arab countries.

Prince Saud underlined the importance of enabling the Lebanese government to spread its influence throughout Lebanese territories, and said 'we should extend economic and political support to Lebanon in all spheres'.

'We are friends of Lebanon, and we cooperate with it', he said.

Prince Saud said contacts were underway with the Lebanese government by the Arab countries and the Arab League.

'In line with the directives of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince we have come here to discuss this issue with France, which currently chairs the security council.

he noted that the Kingdom will dispatch delegates to the permanent members of the security council for the same purpose, and added 'there are tireless efforts to settle the problem and to end the tragedy of Lebanon'.