Saudi, French leaders urge efforts to protect shipping

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Saudi King Abdullah on Saturday called for international efforts to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden amid a spate of attacks by Somali pirates.

The two leaders also discussed the global financial crisis and Middle East peace, during a brief visit by Sarkozy to Saudi Arabia, the official SPA news agency reported.

Sarkozy and the Saudi king underscored "the need to reinforce international efforts to preserve shipping security in the Gulf of Aden," the agency said.

Their call comes a day before the expiry of a 25-million-dollar ransom which Somali pirates are demanding for a Saudi super-tanker seized two weeks ago.

The 330-metre-long oil carrier Sirius Star is the biggest vessel ever seized by pirates. Its capture sent shockwaves through the shipping world and prompted some companies to re-route via the Cape of Good Hope.

Sarkozy paid a brief visit to the oil-rich Saudi kingdom after addressing a UN aid conference in Qatar, where he said EU assistance to poorer countries -- pledged at 61 billion dollars this year -- would not be sacrificed.

"While we are all facing these growing deficits and rising unemployment, we have decided not to sacrifice the Millennium objectives but to fulfil the promises made to you regarding public aid for development," he said.