Macron adds unscheduled Riyadh stop to Gulf tour
Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday for an unscheduled stop during his Gulf tour. His office said the visit was intended to show France’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia as it faces Houthi attacks. France 24’s international affairs editor provided details on the trip.
Macron’s Riyadh arrival came midweek as an unplanned addition to a Gulf trip that also touches Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar. His office framed the stop as a gesture of backing for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi strikes on its territory.
The visit sits alongside recent regional developments: Egypt has been considering joining Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, Macron has addressed fuel supplies during the tour, and Riyadh has postponed major sporting events while airlines suspended flights there over security concerns. France’s Gulf relationships have long involved economic development, oil and defense agreements.
The surprise stop may reassure Saudi audiences and French residents with Gulf ties, while signaling Paris’s attention to regional security. It could affect travelers and businesses if security concerns around Riyadh persist, and may shape how Gulf publics view France’s role. For Yemeni and Saudi civilians, continued Houthi attacks and any wider military coordination could heighten uncertainty, though the visit itself is largely symbolic and its practical consequences remain unclear.