Emmanuel Macron landed in Riyadh on Wednesday, making him the first Western head of state to enter the kingdom after Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels stepped up their offensive this month. Al-Monitor described the unannounced stop as part of a wider Gulf itinerary aimed at securing oil and diesel for France, a move driven by domestic protests over soaring living costs. Naharnet noted the trip served as a solidarity gesture for Riyadh as it faces frequent strikes from the rebel group.
The French leader was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, deputy governor of the Riyadh region, before meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Al Yamamah Palace, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. The Elysee Palace stated the goal was to show support for the kingdom and diversify hydrocarbon imports. Al-Monitor reported that the two leaders agreed on a deal for Saudi Arabia to supply extra diesel to Paris for an unspecified duration, while also consulting on deeper security ties and infrastructure plans to circumvent the blocked Strait of Hormuz.
The visit occurs as Houthi strikes have reached a record scale, closing Riyadh’s main airport and delaying a major investment conference, Naharnet reported. A maritime blockade by the rebels is also endangering oil shipments, forcing the kingdom to rely on the Red Sea port of Yanbu to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Monitor noted France has deployed personnel to shield the Yanbu terminal, a commitment Macron previously outlined in a televised interview. Additionally, the British government announced on Tuesday that it would send Royal Air Force Typhoon jets to aid Saudi defenses against the escalating attacks.
Macron’s Gulf tour included stops in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where he locked in energy deals, including 200,000 tonnes of diesel monthly from the UAE and Bahrain, Al-Monitor reported. The French president told reporters he was fulfilling his role to ease gas price tensions, stating there must be no sign of febrility. The timing aligns with a Saudi-backed counteroffensive launched on October 5 to reclaim strategic ground near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which the Houthis had captured in September.