France offers satellite technology

Speaking at a news conference at the Royal Terminal at King Khaled International Airport here, the minister said his country has the needed facilities as well as the experts for the transfer of such technology to the Kingdom. In addition, he said France could also train Saudis for working in such projects.

French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot was present at the press briefing.

The visiting minister,who met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah with a message from French President Nicolas Sarkozy, also had discussions with Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan in Jeddah on Saturday.

In Riyadh, Morin held talks with Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, deputy commander of the National Guard for Executive Affairs, on Sunday. Prince Miteb hosted a luncheon in Morin's honor at his ranch in Riyadh prior to the minister's departure.

Iran is a source of concern for the two countries, the minister said, adding that the Kingdom shares the same opinion about Iran's nuclear capability. "Such a program poses imminent risks for the security and stability of the region," he stressed, pointing out that it could lead other countries in the region to follow suit.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France) have agreed on a new draft on sanctions against Iran, which would be adopted next week; Kazinform cites The Arab News.

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