Riyadh--Saudi Arabia gave a royal welcome to France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius during a visit that highlighted a deepening of ties with major powers beyond traditional ally the United States.
The reinforcement of links with Paris comes as Riyadh worries over an Iran nuclear deal and fights Iran-backed rebels in neighbouring Yemen.
Fabius, on his Saturday-Sunday visit, was welcomed more as a head of state than a minister, meeting the entire leadership of the kingdom.
"I'm not surprised, given the momentum that the relationship has taken in the last few years," said Asaad al-Shamlan, a political science professor at Riyadh's Institute of Diplomatic Studies.
Fabius met King Salman, Crown Prince Moqren, Deputy Crown Prince and Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef, along with the king's son Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who leads the kingdom's war against Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen.
The French minister also held talks with Riyadh's veteran Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
Saud, who has seen ties with France grow in recent years, stressed at a joint press conference "the friendship and trust" between the two countries.
Fabius sought to reassure his hosts over an April 2 framework agreement between major powers and Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions.
The West and Sunni Gulf states fear Tehran wants to build an atomic bomb but Shiite-dominated Iran -- Saudi Arabia's regional rival -- insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.
In exchange for limits on Iran's nuclear capabilities, the accord would lift international sanctions.
A final deal is to be reached by June 30 following further talks between Tehran and six major powers including France.
AFP
