Macron makes unannounced visit to Riyadh in show of solidarity amid Houthi attacks

Summary

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday on an unannounced visit, part of a three-day Gulf tour that had already taken him to Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. He met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi Press Agency reported that the two leaders discussed regional and international security and stability and ways to strengthen bilateral ties. The French presidency said the visit was meant to demonstrate France's solidarity with the kingdom against Houthi attacks and to continue efforts to secure and diversify hydrocarbon supplies. Macron is the first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis intensified their attacks this month, which have included attacks on the capital's airport that killed 17 people and injured 333, according to The National. Al Jazeera reports that the talks covered energy, security and infrastructure as France secures extra diesel supplies, while France 24 says the trip also aims to ease tensions at home over oil and diesel imports.

Timeline

1. The National

   21 Oct 2026, 14:24 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Macron arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday on a surprise visit, meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a show of solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks.

2. Al Jazeera

   21 Oct 2026, 16:58 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Macron made a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia, meeting Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss energy, security and infrastructure, as France secures extra diesel supplies.

3. France 24

   21 Oct 2026, 17:09 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Macron paid an unannounced visit to Riyadh on Wednesday to show French support for the kingdom amid intensified Houthi attacks, and to ease tensions at home by securing oil and diesel imports.