Sheikh Tamim, Chirac discuss conditions in the ME

Qatar's crown prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held talks in Paris with the French President Jacque Chirac during which they discussed developments of conditions in the Middle East region and reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and means of developing them.

French officials quoted Chirac as saying that France supports the American efforts for reforms in the Middle East but under the condition to meet the needs of the people of the region and their ambitions, and taking into account the need to settle the Palestinian- Israeli conflict.

Earlier in the day, the Qatari crown prince held a series of talks with senior French officials including the prime minister Jan Piere Ravaran and the two ministers of defense and the interior.

Sheikh Tamim is accompanied in his visit to France by the first deputy of the prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabber al-Thani, the minister of the economy and trade, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Ahmad Bin Jasem al-Thani, and Khaled Bin Naser al-Masnas, the secretary of the ruler of Qatar for security affairs.