Macron visits Riyadh after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Riyadh on Wednesday for a surprise visit meant to show solidarity with Saudi Arabia after weeks of Houthi attacks, his office said.

Macron was due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His office said the visit was also intended to continue efforts to secure and diversify hydrocarbon supplies.

The trip is part of a Gulf tour aimed at securing diesel and petrol supplies as Macron tries to bring down energy prices after violent protests in France over rising living costs.

Macron is the first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Yemen's Houthis intensified attacks on the kingdom this month. The attacks have forced Riyadh airport to shut, postponed a major investment conference and hampered Saudi oil exports through an attempted blockade of Saudi ports.