French President Emmanuel Macron with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
France ready to help 'secure' Saudi energy infrastructure: AFP
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France has expressed readiness to contribute to securing Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure following recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthis, adopting a "strictly defensive approach," a diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday.
The French offer aims to address vulnerabilities across key petroleum routes and processing centers while maintaining a clear boundary regarding direct involvement in regional hostilities.
"France is ready to contribute to securing Saudi energy infrastructure in Yanbu and along the East-West Pipeline, within the framework of a strictly defensive approach," the diplomatic source told AFP.
The source stressed that Paris' offer "in no way involves taking part in the conflict with the Houthis."
International response
The diplomatic proposal follows a series of disruptive strikes launched by Houthi forces targeting Saudi oil infrastructure.
In recent weeks, Houthi units executed attacks against facilities belonging to state oil giant Saudi Aramco in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.
Concurrently, the East-West Pipeline -a vital crude oil export corridor linking eastern oilfields to Red Sea ports- was forced to shut down following drone strikes launched from Iraq, according to statements from Riyadh.
