Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron inked a strategic alliance with the goal of strengthening their relationship and reducing tensions in the Middle East, especially Lebanon, where they both demanded presidential elections.
At a time when a political crisis threatens to overthrow the French administration, the French leader landed in Saudi Arabia on Monday for a three-day state visit.
Macron’s office announced the creation of a new alliance to improve collaboration in “defence, energy transition, culture, and mobility between the two countries” during a meeting with Prince Mohammed, the real ruler of the oil-rich Gulf country.
Additionally, the two leaders “agreed to make every effort to help contribute to de-escalation in the region,” which includes strengthening the tenuous truce between Israel and Lebanon.
In order to unite the Lebanese people and implement the changes required for the stability and security of the nation, they jointly called for the conduct of presidential elections in Lebanon, according to a statement released by Macron’s office.
As Macron stepped off his plane in the afternoon in Riyadh, he was met by a ceremonial cannon fire and an honor guard of soldiers brandishing swords.
Macron’s tour started while France’s minority administration, which had only been in power for three months, was in danger of being overthrown in the next few days by a vote of no confidence.
After the prime minister used an executive instrument to ram through a social security budget package without parliamentary approval, the far-right National Rally party declared it would vote to overthrow Michel Barnier’s administration.
