Macron lands in Saudi Arabia on surprise ‘solidarity’ visit

Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on a surprise visit intended to show France’s solidarity after weeks of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. He is the first Western leader to visit the kingdom since the attacks intensified this month, and his Gulf tour also aims to secure and diversify diesel and petrol supplies. France is seeking to lower energy prices amid violent protests over the rising cost of living and a political crisis. The attacks have forced Riyadh airport to close, postponed a major investment conference and hampered Saudi oil exports.