Saudi defense minister meets French President Macron

Photos: (X/@kbsalsaud)
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Updated 21 December 2023
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Saudi defense minister meets French President Macron

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.

During the meeting the pair discussed bilateral relations between France and the Kingdom.

“Upon the directives of HRH the Crown Prince, I met with Emmanuel Macron,”  Prince Khalid posted on social media. “I had the honor of conveying the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. We also reviewed our bilateral relations.”

The meeting was attended by senior Saudi and French officials.

Earlier, Prince Khalid toured the frigate Chevalier Paul with Sébastien Lecornu, the French armed forces minister.

“I had the opportunity to watch an air defense exercise involving Rafale aircraft. I also explored the frigate’s defense capabilities and advanced technologies and equipment,” he posted on X.

“It was great to have you on board, to witness together the French army expertise, world class equipment and leadership. Thank you for joining us,” Lecornu responded to Prince Khalid on social media.

 


Saudi Arabia stops ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base

Updated 11 March 2026
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Saudi Arabia stops ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base

  • Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday strongly condemned Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia shot down seven ballistic missiles, the defense ministry said early Wednesday.
Six of the missiles were aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, and the other was intercepted while heading to the Eastern Province.
Seven drones were knocked down heading to the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter.
Thirteen drones were also shot down in Al-Kharj, Hafar Al-Batin, and other parts of the Eastern Province, the ministry said.
The war, launched by the US and Israel on Iran, has escalated, impacting regional stability and sparking a global energy crisis.
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday strongly condemned Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom, Gulf states and other countries in the region, saying they threaten regional security and violate international law.
The cabinet session, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman via videoconference, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Brent crude hit a historic $120 a barrel on Monday before settling back down to $90 a barrel on Tuesday.
Amin Nasser, CEO of Aramco, the world’s top oil exporter, told reporters: “There would be catastrophic consequences for the world’s oil markets and the longer the disruption goes on ... the more drastic the ‌consequences for the ‌global economy.” 
The White House said that gas prices will plummet once US objectives in the war are reached.
The conflict could stretch on for months despite US President Donald Trump saying that it could be drawing to a close. But Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has said it will end when they decide.