Everything is fine between Riyadh and Paris. Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed on Sunday strengthening their cooperation in defense and energy.
During a telephone interview, “the two leaders welcomed the dynamism of their bilateral relationship”, in particular “the deepening of cooperation in the areas of economy and culture”, indicated the Elysée. They also “shared their concern about the situation in Lebanon and reiterated their determination to work together to help bring the country out of the deep crisis it is going through”.
Better in relations between Riyadh and Tehran
Since 2019, Lebanon has been plunged into a deep economic crisis blamed by a large part of the population on the mismanagement, corruption, negligence and inertia of a ruling class in place for decades. The political crisis is aggravating the situation, the deputies failing to agree to elect a new President of the Republic since November. The country is therefore led by a resigning government with reduced powers.
Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the decision of Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore their diplomatic relations, stressing its “importance for regional stability”. Relations between the two Middle Eastern heavyweights have been strained for decades due to religious rivalry and a struggle for influence in the region.