Macron, MBS, sign strategic partnership, call for elections in Lebanon

President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic partnership on Monday, December 2, aiming at deepening bilateral ties and de-escalating conflict in the Middle East, including Lebanon, where the two leaders called for presidential elections.

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 “defense, 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 honor guard of sword-holding servicemen and celebratory cannon fire as he disembarked from his plane.

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.

Lebanese army

Macron’s state visit is the first by a French president to Saudi Arabia since Jacques Chirac in 2006, cementing what the presidency calls a “very close relationship”.

The French president and Prince Mohammed will see how they “work together” on the conflicts shaking the region, with Lebanon at the “heart of the discussions”, the French presidency said in an earlier statement.

Macron is hoping for Saudi support for the Lebanese army, which is being deployed towards the border with Israel under the ceasefire but is poorly armed and trained. He will also try to win Saudi help to reverse the political disintegration that has plunged Lebanon’s government and economy into catastrophe.

Paris and Riyadh are also calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and a “political outcome” based on the two-state solution of separate Israeli and Palestinian states.

Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, has paused discussions with Washington on potentially recognizing Israel in return for deeper security and bilateral ties with the United States.

Discussions are also underway for Saudi Arabia to acquire French-made Rafale fighter jets, although no announcement is expected during the visit, according to a source close to the matter.