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French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a Gulf tour on Monday to secure oil and diesel supplies and ease rising fuel prices after a weekend of violent protests over the cost of living in France.
Macron arrived in Kuwait, where Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah welcomed him. He is also scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar by Wednesday, according to an AFP report.
The visit aims to strengthen France’s economic and defence partnerships with Gulf countries. The region has faced growing instability since the US-Iran war began in February.
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Macron has acknowledged security and intelligence failures following some of France’s worst violence in years. More than 2,500 people have been arrested, while town halls and shops have been looted and set on fire. However, he has refused to accept his interior minister’s resignation.
Before leaving for Kuwait, Macron said the trip was necessary to “secure our supplies”. He also noted that protesters had expressed “concern” about fuel prices.
During the visit, Macron is expected to seek commitments from Gulf countries on oil and diesel supplies, according to the French presidency. Senior executives from France’s two largest energy groups, TotalEnergies and Engie, are accompanying him.
The tour comes as oil prices have risen sharply during the eight-month war. Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for Gulf energy exports, has disrupted supplies. Yemen’s Houthis have added to the pressure by attacking Saudi oil facilities and tankers in the Red Sea, as well as carrying out deadly attacks on Riyadh’s international airport.
However, in early October, the Group of Seven (G7) countries, chaired by France this year, agreed to release up to 100 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to ease pressure on prices.
Macron will also discuss ways to protect maritime shipments and find “alternative and bypass routes” for energy exports, the French presidency said.
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France and Britain have assembled an international mission to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, mainly through demining operations, once the United States and Iran reach an agreement. However, both sides remain at an impasse eight months after hostilities began.
The French president is also expected to discuss defence cooperation with Gulf leaders, whose countries have faced thousands of Iranian missiles and drones.
France deployed its aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, in the spring, along with Rafale fighter jets, a frigate, and air defence systems. Macron also sent French soldiers to protect Yanbu, an oil terminal on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast that has become an important route for energy exports.
