Leading war on terror, KSA seeks global push

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, held talks with French President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls on major regional and international issues, including the threat posed by Islamic State (IS) militants to global peace and stability.
Hollande hosted a dinner banquet at the Elysée palace in honor of the crown prince and his accompanying delegation.
Prince Salman said Saudi-French relations have witnessed qualitative improvement thanks to the support of the leaderships in the two countries.
“Saudi Arabia realized the danger posed by terrorism to the international community from early on,” Prince Salman told French leaders, adding that the Kingdom hosted an international conference to combat terrorism in 2005.
He said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah had called for setting up an international counterterrorism center in order to strengthen the fight against terrorism.
King Abdullah donated $100 million to activate this center at the United Nations.
“We hope that peace-loving countries will swiftly contribute to strengthening this center to be a major pillar of international cooperation to combat terrorism, which threatens global security and stability,” he said in a keynote address.
Prince Salman called for effective international efforts to stop the bloodbath in Gaza.
He said the Arab Peace Initiative, which was originally proposed by King Abdullah, was aimed at resolving the Palestinian issue and protecting their legitimate rights, including an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The crown prince denounced the brutal and devastating Israeli aggression on unarmed Palestinians in Gaza, saying it was a clear violation of international charters and principles.
“We urge the international community to shoulder its responsibility to ensure the protection of the Palestinian people from repeated Israeli aggression,” he added.
Later addressing a business meeting, Prince Salman said Saudi Arabia’s GDP has reached 540 billion euros, making it one of the largest 20 economies in the world, while its reserves crossed 500 billion euros.
Prince Salman stressed the need to implement the resolutions of the Geneva I Conference and its provisions to form a transitional governing body in Syria with full executive powers.
“We hope parties in Lebanon agree on a president who can bring together all the different factions and enable Lebanon to overcome its current crisis.”
The crown prince highlighted Riyadh’s efforts to bolster international economic stability. “We have been supporting regional and international development funds and taking a moderate approach to secure oil market stability in the interest of both producers and consumers.”
In his welcome address, Hollande described Prince Salman as a friend of France.
“Your royal highness, I am honored to host you today at the Elysée Palace,” he said. “Your highness is a friend of France. During my visit to Riyadh last year, you had said that your first visit abroad was to Paris in 1951. Since then, you have not stopped expressing your attachment to our country, while taking on responsibilities in different positions. Your highness is one of the builders of Saudi Arabia. You have made invaluable contributions to the Kingdom.”
Hollande said Saudi Arabia constitutes a distinguished partner of France. “Bonds of this alliance were strengthened at the Elysée Palace when His Majesty, the late King Faisal, visited General De Gaulle in 1967. Time and succession of power have not destabilized the relations between the two countries since then.”
The president hailed King Abdullah’s wisdom and insight, as well as his desire to increase rapprochement with France.
He emphasized France’s support to establish peace and security in the Middle East, “which has become necessary now more than ever since the Syrian crisis has moved to Iraq and there is a terrorist movement that claims to have established a state.
“France has decided to help Iraq at both the humanitarian and security levels, but this support cannot be effective without the formation of a government that represents all sects in order to avoid fragmentation of the country.”
“France and Saudi Arabia have been clear concerning the seriousness of the Syrian crisis. Our two countries have called on the international community to intervene, but their call has not always been met. They support those fighting the dual brutality of Bashar Assad.”
Hollande said France supports the Arab Peace Initiative, which was introduced by the Kingdom in 2002, and that it was looking forward to working together to revitalize the initiative.
“Our political cooperation is very strong,” he said. “It has been strengthened by very valuable military cooperation. Our two armies have conducted operational activities for a long time in decisive areas to ensure the security of the Kingdom. I would like to extend my thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the confidence it attaches to French experience and technology with regard to its own defense and also to the defense of regional countries.”
“This trust and cooperation is manifested in Lebanon, where we provide equipment for the country to enhance territorial security and ensure the safety of all of its sects.
“Saudi Arabia is a great country, which has been able to harness its resources in the service of an ambitious building project. French establishments are fully participating in the development of the Kingdom. They are present in the energy, services, health and transport fields.”
He added that France also wants to take advantage of the Kingdom’s competencies and establish partnerships with its establishments, praising King Abdullah’s decision to increase Saudi investments in France.
“We have identified opportunities in several great strategic areas. I would like to be able to implement them quickly,” he said.
“The links that bind us are political, economic and financial, but they are also humanitarian, as several thousand French citizens visit Makkah and Madinah every year. In addition, the Institute of the Arab World recently hosted a beautiful exhibition about Haj, which I myself launched. It enjoyed a resounding success and turnout from the audience.”
“Saudis also love France and its capital, Paris, where many of them reside on a regular basis. We are also pleased to receive a growing number of students at our universities with the opening of each academic year.”
Prince Salman, meanwhile, met with the Saudi military officers undergoing training in France. “I am happy to see Saudis gaining knowledge from all over the world. This shows King Abdullah’s keenness toward all Saudi citizens, including military men and civilians, getting an education,” he said.
Prince Salman highlighted the role of the Saudi armed forces and the National Guard in defending the Kingdom, while praising the security and stability prevailing in the country.
He described Islam as the biggest blessing from God and reiterated the Kingdom’s efforts in the service of pilgrims.
Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, president of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC), said the crown prince’s visit would contribute to strengthening investment relations between the Kingdom and France, which have recently witnessed more than SR44 billion worth of trade exchanges in various fields.