France FM in Saudi Arabia to reaffirm 'partnership'

Jean-Marc Ayrault, who undertook his first ministerial visit to the kingdom this week, said he intended to "discuss the main regional issues, particularly the situations in Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Syria" with his Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir as well as King Salman after touching down in Riyadh.

Riyadh is currently seeking to develop new alliances beyond its reliance on traditional defence partner - the United States - in order to counter Iran, after concerns in the Kingdom that former US President Barack Obama had eased Washington's policy towards Tehran.

Meanwhile, France - the third-biggest foreign investor in Saudi Arabia - is seeking to boost weapons sales to the Gulf region despite concerns raised by international rights groups that accuse the kingdom of war crimes in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and Iran support opposite sides of the wars in Syria and Yemen - conflicts that have attracted interventions from several nations around the globe.

Ayrault's visit coincides with Syrian peace talks in Kazakhstan jointly organised by Iran, Turkey and Russia which began on Monday.

Trump's arrival in the White House has prompted concerns of an isolationist Washington.

However, speaking on Monday Jubeir said he expects Trump's administration "to be more engaged" in the Middle East and rebuild ties with allies.

Ayrault's Saudi visit, which ends on Tuesday, follows a trip to France last June by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the defence minister and driving force behind the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

On Tuesday, the French minister is expected to visit construction work on the $22.5-billion Riyadh Metro rapid transit project. French company Alstom is part of a consortium building the system.