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Saudi expands foreign ties beyond traditional ally US
Saudis Arabia fears Iran will use newly-available finances that a lifting of sanctions will bring to extend its influence in the regionApril 13, 2015
Saudi Arabia gave a royal welcome to France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius during a visit that highlighted a deepening of ties with major powers beyond traditional ally the United States.
The reinforcement of links with Paris comes as Riyadh worries over an Iran nuclear deal and fights a militia – reportedly backed by Tehran - in neighbouring Yemen.
Fabius, on his Saturday-Sunday visit, was welcomed more as a head of state than a minister, meeting the entire leadership of the kingdom.
"I'm not surprised, given the momentum that the relationship has taken in the last few years," said Asaad al-Shamlan, a political science professor at Riyadh's Institute of Diplomatic Studies.
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-expands-foreign-ties-beyond-traditional-ally-us-997075515