Macron makes a surprise solidarity visit to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks, securing extra diesel supplies for France as energy costs fuel domestic unrest.
01Summary
- 01Macron is the first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Houthi attacks intensified this month.
- 02Saudi Arabia agreed to supply extra diesel to France 'for as many months as necessary'.
- 03France now has commitments for 295,000 tonnes of diesel per month from Gulf states, just over 10% of its consumption.
- 04France is sending military assets to protect the Red Sea port of Yanbu under an earlier agreement.
- 05The UK also announced it would deploy fighter jets to help shield the kingdom.
02Why it matters
This matters because France faces high petrol prices and social unrest, and the Gulf deals aim to ease energy shortages. However, European military support could draw France and the UK deeper into the Saudi-Houthi conflict.
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