Macron, bin Salman Discuss Lebanon at Meeting

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic partnership focused on enhancing bilateral relations and promoting peace in the Middle East. The agreement includes efforts to address the political crisis in Lebanon, where both leaders called for the holding of presidential elections.

Macron arrived in Saudi Arabia for a three-day state visit, which coincided with a political crisis in France that could potentially lead to the downfall of his government. During his meeting with Prince Mohammed, who holds significant power in the Gulf kingdom, Macron’s office confirmed the partnership, aimed at strengthening cooperation in defense, energy transition, culture, and mobility between the two nations.

The partnership also reflects their shared commitment to easing tensions in the region, including efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Both leaders emphasized the importance of holding presidential elections in Lebanon to unite the people and implement necessary reforms for the country’s stability and security.

Upon his arrival in Riyadh, Macron was welcomed with a ceremonial honor guard and cannon fire. However, he did not address the ongoing political situation in France during his arrival. His visit comes at a time when his minority government is facing the threat of being ousted by a no-confidence vote in the coming days, particularly after Prime Minister Michel Barnier used an executive order to push through a social security budget bill without parliamentary approval.

Macron’s visit coincides with a surge in violence in Syria, where anti-government forces recently seized Aleppo. Despite the turmoil in the region, the French president’s visit aims to foster stronger ties with Saudi Arabia and address the political and economic challenges in Lebanon.

This marks the first visit by a French president to Saudi Arabia since Jacques Chirac’s trip in 2006, underscoring the close relationship between the two nations. Macron previously met Prince Mohammed in 2021, making him one of the first Western leaders to do so after the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Macron and Prince Mohammed are expected to discuss ways to collaborate on regional conflicts, particularly in Lebanon, where Macron is seeking Saudi support for the Lebanese army, which has been deployed near the Israeli border but lacks sufficient resources. Additionally, Macron will work to garner Saudi assistance in addressing Lebanon’s political and economic collapse.

France and Saudi Arabia also share a call for a ceasefire in Gaza and a political resolution based on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Saudi Arabia has paused discussions with the U.S. about potentially recognizing Israel in exchange for deeper security and economic ties, reaffirming its stance that relations with Israel will not be established until a Palestinian state is created.

Accompanying Macron on the trip are around 50 senior officials from major French companies, including TotalEnergies, EDF, and Veolia, as well as leaders in artificial intelligence and quantum physics. France and Saudi Arabia aim to significantly boost their economic ties, with discussions underway for Saudi Arabia to acquire French-made Rafale fighter jets, though no announcement is expected during this visit.