Saudi Deputy Governor of the Riyadh region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, for an official visit on Monday. — AFP
President Emmanuel Macron landed in Saudi Arabia on Monday for a state visit amid a political crisis threatening to destabilize the French government. Macron arrived in Riyadh, the kingdom's capital, where he was scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later that day. The French leader was greeted with an honor guard of sword-bearing servicemen and celebratory cannon fire as he disembarked from his plane.
Macron's visit commenced as France's minority government, which has been in power for less than three months, faces the possibility of being ousted by a vote of no confidence in the coming days. The far-right National Rally party announced its intention to vote against Michel Barnier's government after the prime minister used an executive tool to pass a social security budget bill without parliamentary approval. The left-wing is also expected to support the motion, which could be held as early as Wednesday. If successful, it would lead to the removal of the government appointed in September following snap elections.
Macron's three-day stay coincides with a surge in violence in Syria, where anti-government rebels have taken control of Aleppo, the country's second-largest city. This escalation follows France's efforts to broker a fragile ceasefire in neighboring Lebanon, where Israel has been engaged in conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
This marks the first state visit by a French president to Saudi Arabia since Jacques Chirac in 2006, reinforcing what the French presidency describes as a 'very close relationship'. This visit follows Macron's 2021 trip, during which he became one of the first Western leaders to meet Prince Mohammed in Saudi Arabia after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Riyadh consulate in Istanbul.
Macron and Prince Mohammed are expected to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership, according to the French presidency. Discussions will focus on how the two countries can collaborate on regional conflicts, with Lebanon being a central topic. Macron is seeking Saudi support for the Lebanese army, which is being deployed towards the border with Israel under the ceasefire but is inadequately armed and trained. He also aims to secure Saudi assistance in reversing the political disintegration that has devastated Lebanon's government and economy.
France and Saudi Arabia are also advocating for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and a 'political outcome' based on the two-state solution, which envisions separate Israeli and Palestinian states. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, has halted discussions with Washington on potentially recognizing Israel in exchange for enhanced security and bilateral ties with the United States. In September, the crown prince reiterated that Saudi Arabia would not establish ties with Israel before the creation of a Palestinian state.
Macron is accompanied by around 50 senior officials from major French companies, including TotalEnergies, EDF, and Veolia, as well as start-ups in artificial intelligence and quantum physics. France and Saudi Arabia aim to 'significantly strengthen' their economic ties, which have yet to meet their shared ambitions, according to the French presidency. Discussions are also ongoing for Saudi Arabia to purchase French-made Rafale fighter jets, though no announcement is expected during the visit, according to a source close to the matter.
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