Overview

• French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic partnership to strengthen ties in defense, energy, culture, and mobility.
• The leaders called for Lebanon to hold presidential elections and discussed Saudi support for the Lebanese army amid ongoing regional tensions.
• Macron seeks to deepen economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia, aligning with the kingdom's Vision 2030 modernization plan and France's economic ambitions.
• The visit includes discussions on a ceasefire in Gaza, the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, and Saudi Arabia's evolving role in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
• Macron's trip coincides with a looming political crisis in France, as the minority government faces a potential no-confidence vote in Parliament.