French President Francois Hollande met Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Salman bin Abdulaziz at the end of his visit to Riyadh on Monday.

The two leaders discussed regional and international issues of common concern and ways of bolstering bilateral ties, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Earlier on Sunday, Hollande held talks with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on ways to boost commercial ties and address escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Monarch highlighted a “convergence” of positions between the two countries on several issues, a member of Hollande’s entourage said.

SPA said the two leaders discussed mutual cooperation and “regional and international developments.” 

Saudi journalist and political commentator Salman al-Dousary said the three main issues discussed during Holland’s visit were Syria, Lebanon and Iran.

Hollande was met on arrival in Riyadh by Crown Prince Salman, before taking a helicopter to the King’s Rawdat Khurayim farm, 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of the capital. Four Ministers and 30 top French business figures are also on the visit.

Paris and Riyadh share a “will to work for peace, security and stability in the Middle East”, Hollande said in an interview published in Al-Hayat daily. 

Speaking to reporters in Riyadh, Hollande pledged to “meet” any requests by the Lebanese government to arm the Army.

His comments came as Lebanon’s President Michel Sleiman announced from Beirut that Saudi Arabia had pledged $3 billion for the Lebanese Army to buy French equipment.

In his al-Hayat interview, Hollande urged respect for “constitutional deadlines” in Lebanon, starting with “holding Presidential elections in May 2014.”

Source: Al Arabiya; Al-Hayat; SPA