Saudi Arabia has agreed to supply France with extra diesel “for as many months as necessary”, the French presidency said Wednesday, as President Emmanuel Macron visited Riyadh to secure energy supplies.
Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also agreed to consult on expanding security co-operation and infrastructure projects to bypass the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, the Elysee Palace told AFP.
Macron arrived in Riyadh on an unannounced visit days after violent rioting in France over soaring living costs. He was the first Western leader to visit the kingdom since Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensified attacks this month.
The visit was part of a Gulf tour aimed at securing oil and diesel supplies and easing pressure on prices in France.
Asked about criticism of the trip, Macron told reporters he was “doing his job” to “ease tensions” over gas prices, one of the causes of unrest in France.
“There must be no sign of febrility,” he said. “I am fulfilling my role. I am at my post.”
