FRANCE, SAUDIS OK DEFENSE EXPANSION

LONDON [MENL] -- France and Saudi Arabia have agreed to expand a defense cooperation accord that Paris hopes would pave the way for the sale of nearly $20 billion worth of military and security systems to the Arab kingdom. Western industry sources said the agreement was reached on April 14during the visit to Paris by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The sourcessaid Abdullah approved steps to expand defense cooperation in a move thatcould enable France to sell advanced fighter-jets and a command, control,communications, computer and intelligence system to Riyad.