Macron tours the Gulf between diplomacy and contracts

 
INA-sources
 
French President Emmanuel Macron begins a Gulf tour today, Friday, as France seeks to present itself as a “balancing force” in the face of the crises in the Middle East and obtain new contracts, especially for Rafale aircraft in the Emirates.
 
This will be a quick two-day tour, and Macron will arrive in Dubai on Friday before heading to Qatar on Friday evening and then on Saturday to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
 

The French president will meet with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
 
During the tour, the main strategic issues in the region will be discussed: the fight against terrorism and extremism, the Lebanon crisis, the elections in Libya, the Iranian nuclear program, and others.
 
The Elysee stressed that Macron “continues his commitment” since the start of his presidential term in 2017, which aims to “contribute to the stability” of the region extending from the “Mediterranean to the Gulf”.
 
One of the president’s advisors explains that France presents itself as “a balancing force by promoting dialogue with and between the various actors” in the region and as a “main and reliable partner”. But despite all the efforts made, Macron did not get the desired results, especially in Lebanon and Libya.
 
 
The French president may address the diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and the Gulf states, which prompted Saudi Arabia to stop all Lebanese imports, which exacerbated the economic crisis there.