Chirac addresses Saudi parliament

President Chirac is in Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit

French President Jacques Chirac has become the first non-Arab leader to address Saudi Arabia's Shura, or consultative assembly.

The Shura was set up to show the country is easing its rigid political system, and Mr Chirac lent support for King Abdullah's democratic reforms.

A BBC correspondent says the fact the king allowed this speech signals his intention to introduce further reform.

France is also eyeing defence contracts worth billions of euros.

Accompanying Mr Chirac are his economy, defence, foreign affairs and trade ministers as well as business leaders who include the heads of major defence companies.

In his speech, Mr Chirac mentioned Iran's nuclear programme, saying the voice of reason had still not been heard in Iran while the West remained open to negotiation.

After the speech, the French leader had talks with King Abdullah himself.