Emmanuel Macron lands in Riyadh on surprise ‘solidarity’ visit
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Riyadh on a surprise solidarity visit, making him the first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia following intensified Houthi attacks. The trip also focuses on securing energy supplies to help lower prices in France.
Why it matters
Highlights high-stakes European diplomacy in the Middle East aimed at securing energy resources and addressing regional security threats.
Emmanuel Macron lands in Riyadh on surprise ‘solidarity’ visit left France's President Emmanuel Macron, flanked by Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani (L) and the Emir of Qatar (unseen), attends the 9th Annual One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds (OPSWF) Summit at the Rosewood Hotel in Lusail on October 21, 2026 AFP AFP https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/m3gwv7/article71607710.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/AFP__20261021__D3X649N__v2__HighRes__QatarFrancePoliticsDiplomacyEconomy.jpg BENOIT TESSIER France's President Emmanuel Macron, flanked by Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani (L) and the Emir of Qatar (unseen), attends the 9th Annual One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds (OPSWF) Summit at the Rosewood Hotel in Lusail on October 21, 2026. The French president is undertaking a tour of key energy suppliers in the Gulf in an effort to secure oil and diesel and bring down prices in France.
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