PARIS — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France on Friday underscored the importance of stability in Egypt through expediting the implementation of the country's political road map. This came during talks between Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and his French counterpart Laurent Fabius. Prince Salman Bin Sultan, Deputy Minister of Defense, also took part in the meeting. The two ministers discussed “the importance of responding to the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people by finding a political solution to the crisis, by putting an end to the terrible repression carried out by the Syrian regime, and by increasing support for the Syrian National Coalition,” Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Vincent Floreani said. Iran was also high on the agenda for talks and Fabius and Prince Faisal discussed the latest signals from Tehran that there was a willingness to negotiate with the international community on the controversial nuclear issues. Talks between the “5+1” and Iran are due to take place in Geneva on October 15-16, with a second meeting tentatively scheduled one week later. “On Iran, France, just like Saudi Arabia, wishes that the good will expressed by President (Hassan) Rohani will translate into concrete acts, with regard to (Iran's) nuclear program,” the French official remarked. The two ministers also discussed Lebanon and Fabius indicated to his Saudi counterpart “the importance, more than ever, of supporting Lebanese institutions, and in particular President (Michel) Sleiman,” the deputy spokesman added. – SPA
