Macron Makes Surprise Riyadh Visit as Saudi Arabia Agrees Extra Diesel for France
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on a surprise 'solidarity' visit. He is the first Western leader to set foot in Saudi Arabia since the Houthis intensified their attacks this month.
In Riyadh, Macron met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders discussed energy, security and infrastructure.
The biggest outcome of the visit came in energy. Saudi Arabia has agreed to supply extra diesel to France 'for as many months as necessary', the Elysee Palace told the AFP news agency on Wednesday. The palace did not say how much extra diesel would be supplied.
On the purpose of the visit, the French presidency had said earlier that it aimed 'to demonstrate France's solidarity with the kingdom in the face of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against its territory, and to continue efforts undertaken on securing and diversifying hydrocarbon supplies'.
Domestic pressure also played a large part in the trip. Rioting has continued in France for days, fuelled by anger over the cost of living. That anger has grown as the US-Iran war and Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have kept energy prices high.
Faced with criticism at home over his Gulf tour, Macron told reporters he was just 'doing his job' in a bid to 'ease tensions' over petrol prices, one of the causes of the social unrest.
He said, 'There must be no sign of febrility. I am fulfilling my role. I am at my post.'
At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to consult on expanding security cooperation and on infrastructure projects to bypass the blockaded strait, the palace said.
Even before the Saudi supplies, Macron's Gulf tour had secured other pledges. The presidency said on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates had committed to about 100,000 tonnes a month, with a further 100,000 tonnes monthly to be secured in Bahrain.
Together with the Saudi deliveries, France now has commitments for 295,000 tonnes a month, just more than 10 percent of its consumption, the presidency said.
The cooperation is advancing in the military field too, not just in energy. Under an earlier agreement, France is sending military assets to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port of Yanbu, which has come under attack from the Iran-backed Houthi group Ansar Allah.
The United Kingdom also announced on Tuesday that it would deploy fighter jets to help shield the kingdom. Both countries say their support is purely defensive.
Analysts say the moves protect Saudi oil exports that matter to Europe's energy markets and bolster the Gulf alliance as the US shows reluctance to offer direct military help. At the same time, they warn, the steps carry risks, potentially drawing the two European states into the protracted Saudi-Houthi conflict.
