RIYADH, Dec 3: President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic partnership on Monday aimed at deepening bilateral ties and de-escalating conflict in the Middle East, including Lebanon, where the two leaders called for presidential elections.
The French leader arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for a three-day state visit just as a political crisis threatens to topple the French government.
After a meeting with Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler of the oil-rich Gulf kingdom, Macron's office announced the signing of a new partnership aimed at improving cooperation in "defence, energy transition, culture, mobility between the two countries".
The two leaders also "agreed to make every effort to contribute to de-escalation in the region", including helping to consolidate the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
"Together, they called for the holding of presidential elections in Lebanon with the aim of bringing the Lebanese people together and carrying out the reforms necessary for the stability and security of the country," the statement from Macron's office said.
Macron touched down in the Saudi capital Riyadh in the afternoon, where he was greeted by an honour guard of sword-holding servicemen and celebratory cannon fire as he disembarked from his plane.
He did not comment on the political situation in France as he arrived.
Macron's visit began as France's less than three-month-old minority government faced the prospect of being forced out by a vote of no confidence in the coming days.
The far-right National Rally party said it would vote to oust Michel Barnier's government after the prime minister used an executive tool to push through a social security budget bill without parliamentary approval.
The left wing is also expected to back the motion, which could be held as early as Wednesday. If successful, it would oust the government that was appointed in September after snap polls. —AFP
