Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman discuss strategic partnership and Middle East crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Saudi Arabia on Monday afternoon on a high-profile state visit just as a political crisis threatens to topple the French government. He met Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the de-facto ruler of the Gulf kingdom.

Macron’s office has announced the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cooperation in “defence, energy transition, culture, mobility.” Both leaders also agreed to contribute to de-escalation in the region.

Macron’s state visit is the first by a French President to Saudi Arabia since Jacques Chirac in 2006. His official trip also comes against a backdrop of increased violence in Syria as anti-government rebels seize the second-largest city in the country.Together, Riyadh and Paris are calling for the holding of presidential elections in Lebanon. Besides strengthening the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, both sides are looking for a ceasefire in Gaza and a political outcome based on separate Israeli and Palestinian states.