Saudi Arabia and France have reaffirmed their support for Palestinian statehood and called for Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territory, according to a joint statement issued at the end of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's state visit to France.
The statement followed talks between bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where they also chaired the first meeting of the Saudi French Strategic Partnership Council.
The two leaders stressed a shared approach to regional stability based on state sovereignty, international law, and diplomatic solutions.
Middle East diplomacy
On Palestine, Riyadh and Paris firmly rejected attempts to undermine the Palestinian right to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders, demanding an end to illegal Israeli settlement policy and settler violence.
They also called for conditions enabling a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza alongside unhindered humanitarian aid, while backing Palestinian Authority reforms.
Regarding Lebanon, the two countries agreed to intensify efforts towards a final settlement and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the disarmament of armed groups outside state authority, and Israel's withdrawal from all Lebanese territory.
On Iran, both sides stressed the need for a negotiated settlement regarding Tehran's nuclear programme and urged Iran to resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Addressing Syria, the leaders committed to the country’s stability and economic recovery and welcomed the creation of a joint Saudi-Syrian-French Business Council.
