File image, French President Emmanuel Macron with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Macron arrives in Riyadh on surprise visit to meet MBS
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French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday in an unannounced stop during his Gulf tour, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to demonstrate France's solidarity with the Kingdom following escalated Houthi strikes in recent weeks.
Macron arrived in the Saudi capital coming directly from Qatar, becoming the first Western head of state to visit Riyadh since Iran-backed Houthi attacks intensified at the beginning of October.
The Élysée Palace confirmed the meeting in an official statement, outlining that Macron traveled to Saudi Arabia specifically "to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman."
The statement added that the visit is intended "to demonstrate France's solidarity with the Kingdom in the face of attacks launched by the Houthis on its territory, and to continue efforts to secure and diversify fuel supplies" for France.
Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabia reached unprecedented levels this month.
The escalation included multiple attacks on the capital's airport, one of which resulted in 13 deaths and hundreds of injuries on October 10—marking the deadliest attack on the Kingdom's territory in over a decade.
Macron's regional tour comes against the backdrop of domestic violent protests in France triggered by the rising cost of living.
During his broader Gulf tour, the French President secured pledges for deliveries of diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), particularly from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
