Macron begins Gulf tour to secure fuel supplies and strengthen strategic ties

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day Gulf tour Monday to secure additional fuel supplies for France and strengthen economic, defence, and security ties with Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. Macron confirmed his departure in a Sunday TV address despite nationwide riots over school conditions and rising prices, stating the trip aims to ease pressure on fuel supplies and prices. He will seek commitments for extra diesel and petrol deliveries, accompanied by executives from TotalEnergies and Engie. The visit addresses disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb due to regional conflicts. Saudi Arabia is excluded from the itinerary, though Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will visit Riyadh separately, and France recently deployed defensive assets to protect Saudi oil infrastructure.