Asked if the situation now on the premises of a civil war in Iraq, Prince Saud said 'well I hope we can be more optimistic than that. We hope that there will be stability, and there are people against the stability in Iraq for their own purposes it is these forces that have to be overcome by the Iraqi people. Until they do that, I think the situation will remain fragile and dangerous. Certainly, if anything happens in Iraq, god forbid, it would be a calamity in the region. So we hope the wisdom of the Iraqi people and their interest in their country will overcome any efforts whoever those efforts are coming from, can be overcome. On the existing friendly relations between King Abdullah and President Chirac, Prince Saud said 'Well, the relationship between the two men is very clear to everybody. It is very clear they are very close, they are very good friends they are very frank partners, and very honest with each other. So definitely this ideal relation between the two leaders. But they are also heads of two countries. Whoever the country chooses as a leader will of course be worked with. The personal side we hope will remain as strong as it is between President Chirac and the King. Whoever the leader of France is, will also have the respect of the people of Saudi Arabia, the king and the government, and we will work with him as closely as ever. Indeed, this reflects itself over the past administrations they have been also close. Perhaps in terms of friendship, on a personal level, you cannot be sure that a personal friendship could be as close as it is between the two men. But as heads of state, they will be with other with the same candor and honesty, and looking for the common interests of the peoples of both countries as these two do. --mor 15 35 Local Time 12 35 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/337348