Riyadh - French President Nicolas Sarkozy met Tuesday with the Saudi King Abdullah to discuss economic relations between the two countries, as well as the ongoing conflicts and disputes in the Middle East. In addition to the stalled peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians, Sarkozy said his meeting with the Saudi ruler touched on the latest developments in Lebanon and Iran's nuclear programme.
The two leaders also looked at ways to further economic ties between the countries, with Sarkozy commending Saudi reforms.
During the French leader's overnight stay in the kingdom, his foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, was expected to arrive in Israel and to visit the Palestinian territories, as part of continued international efforts to revive stalled peace talks.
Sarkozy recently hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Paris, and also spoke by phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The French president is pushing for a renewal of peace talks and has expressed concern over the reigning deadlock.
An Israeli newspaper reported this week that Sarkozy was aiming to bring the various parties together for a peace summit in Paris.
