The Saudi-French statement dealt with a number of issues of common concern, most notably the developments in Lebanon and the Iranian nuclear program, as well as the Palestinian issue and the affairs of a number of Arab countries.
With regard to Lebanon, the two sides stressed the need for the Lebanese government to carry out comprehensive reforms, especially adherence to the Taif Agreement that entrusted national unity and civil peace in Lebanon, and that reforms should include the sectors of finance, energy, combating corruption, and border control.
The two sides agreed to work with Lebanon to ensure the implementation of these measures, and stressed the need to limit arms to the legitimate state institutions, and that Lebanon should not be a launching pad for any terrorist acts that destabilize the security and stability of the region, and a source of drug trafficking.
They also stressed the importance of strengthening the role of the Lebanese army in maintaining the security and stability of Lebanon, and agreed to continue consultations between the two countries on all these issues, and also agreed to establish a Saudi-French mechanism for humanitarian assistance in a framework that ensures complete transparency, and their determination to find appropriate mechanisms in cooperation with countries friendly and ally to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people.
They also stressed the importance of maintaining Lebanon’s stability and respecting its sovereignty and unity in accordance with Security Council resolutions (1559), (1701) and (1680) and the relevant international resolutions.
Regarding the Iranian nuclear program, the two sides expressed their deep concern over the development of this program and the lack of cooperation and transparency towards the International Atomic Energy Agency. France stressed its determination that Iran would not be able to develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. They agreed on the need to confront Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region, including the use and transfer of drones and ballistic missiles that led to attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The two sides also discussed the Palestinian issue, where they affirmed their support for achieving peace in the Middle East, and the importance of reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the two-state solution, the relevant legitimate resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative in a manner that guarantees the right of the Palestinian people to establish their state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. In this context, the two sides called for an end to the Israeli settlement policy that threatens the two-state solution.
On the Iraqi issue, the two sides expressed their support for the Iraqi government’s efforts to eliminate terrorism, efforts to preserve Iraq’s security and stability, its territorial integrity, and the importance of stopping foreign interference in Iraq’s internal affairs. They expressed the hope that a new government will be formed in a quick time. They also praised the holding of the elections on October 10, 2021.
On the Syrian issue, the two sides stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to the crisis in Syria in accordance with the Geneva Declaration (1) and Security Council Resolution No. (2254) to end the human suffering of the Syrian people, preserve Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, and support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Syria.
On the Libyan issue, they stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to the Libyan crisis in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and in a manner that achieves security and stability in the region.
On the Yemeni issue, the two sides stressed the importance of supporting the efforts made, including the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis based on the Gulf initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue, and relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216 ).
France affirmed its full support for the Saudi peace initiative that was presented on March 22, 2021, and condemned the attacks with ballistic missiles and drones committed by the Houthi militia, and affirmed its historical commitment to preserving the security of the Kingdom.
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