Paris: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France reaffirmed their commitment to counter terrorism within the international coalition against Islamic State and lauded all efforts to be made in this area in order to achieve stability in the region including the formation of an anti-terrorist Islamist alliance.

In a joint statement issued last night on the occasion of current visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz to France the two sides expressed willingness to continue and to strengthen bilateral cooperation which aim at combating causes of extremism racism and sectarianism drying up the sources of terrorist financing and the reduction of the phenomenon of violence in all forms including the ethnic as well as the religious Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The two sides stressed the importance of reducing violence and extremism through deep action at the political intellectual and security levels and in addition they discussed latest developments in the Middle East.

With regard to Syria the two countries stressed the need for a credible political solution as that is the only way to permanently restore peace. They also reaffirmed their support for the Supreme Commission of the opposition and stressed the need for sustainable improvement of the situation in order to allow resumption of negotiations between the Syrian parties according to Geneva Statement and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

In this regard they stressed the support for the cessation of hostilities which came into force on February 27 with an emphasis on their keenness to implement it reminding that the groups which have been named by the Security Council are the only excluded parties from the truce.

Meanwhile the two sides also stressed their full support to the Iraqi government in its efforts to find a lasting political solution to the crisis experienced by Iraq through the adoption of a national reconciliation program that includes all components of the Iraqi society.

They also reaffirmed support for the Arab coalition in Yemen the legitimate authorities in the country as well as the work done by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and expressed their grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

The two sides stressed their support for the unity security and stability of Lebanon through official institutions particularly the army.

They stressed the need to elect a president - as soon as possible - who can gather all parties to enable Lebanon to overcome the crisis that is currently going on.

On the Palestinian issue the two countries agreed on the need to resume Israeli-Palestinian peace process and Saudi Arabia expressed support for the French initiative to hold an international conference on this issue.

The two sides stressed the importance of stability of the situation in the region which affects the restoration of security and stability in the world and the Middle East in particular.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the excellent and strong relations between France and the Kingdom and its development at all levels: political security economic financial trade and industry education and culture affairs.

QNA