French President Emmanuel Macron plans to seek pledges of more fuel deliveries on a three-day Gulf visit after weekend protests in France raised concerns about living costs and pump prices.
As earlier coverage of the unrest detailed, Macron said several hundred thousand people had protested over living costs and fuel prices and linked those concerns to the conflict in the Persian Gulf. He distinguished those demonstrators from people who damaged shops and public buildings.
Macron said he considered calling off the Gulf trip after the unrest but decided Sunday to go.
The Elysée Palace said Macron intends to seek commitments for extra diesel and petrol deliveries that could add to France’s fuel supply.
France 24 reported that Kuwait was scheduled to be Macron’s first stop, with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar to follow. The outlet said the visit also focuses on strategic ties with the Gulf states.
