January 15, 2008	Tuesday	Muharram 05, 1429

RIYADH, Jan 14: President Nicolas Sarkozy wrapped up a visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday saying French firms would sign major contracts with Riyadh, potentially worth 40 billion euros.

“They are immense contracts, both civilian and military,” Sarkozy told reporters. “We are talking about 40 billion euros ($59 billion) in potential deals.”

Sarkozy, on his first Gulf tour since taking office in May, said the contracts would be signed “in the coming weeks and months.”

A French official said on Sunday that delegations from the two countries signed four political and energy cooperation agreements, and outlined infrastructure and military contracts worth nearly 40 billion euros.

Sarkozy, who arrived in the world’s top oil exporter on Sunday and held talks with King Abdullah.—AFP