REPLAY: French president addresses fuel supplies during Gulf tour

Let's go straight to Macron, who's speaking live for us now. clearly destabilized these past few months by the war that began on February 28th, the last, and led to responses by Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the destabilization of the region affecting security and impact on our countries, affecting our fellow citizens that worsened at the end of the summer with even tougher security conditions. The purpose of this visit that was programmed several weeks ago was multiple. But France from the very first day has been a power of peace and stability. We said from the outset it wasn't our war. We didn't take that decision. We considered peace and stability in the region was paramount. We've always been clear we're resolutely opposed all form of nuclear activity in Iran. Second, we were at the side of these countries from the very first day in order to contribute to their security. And so the prime purpose was to continue the effort we're undertaking with the team on negotiations underway with Iran, various negotiating channels that exist between Iran, the United States, other countries to calm the situation. That's the first diplomatic aim. Second thing, clearly nobody knows how all that is going to evolve in the coming weeks and months. Given the role played by France and the confidence established, we need to guarantee volumes on categories of fuel where we are dependent. We know there's a risk for the coming months. The priority is diesel and secondly gas. And that was what was done primarily with Saudi Arabia, as you know, these past few weeks, but in Bahrain and the Emirates for diesel in Qatar here for liquefied gas. And the commitments we've secured are important for us in order to avoid any difficulty that might affect our fellow citizens and our economy and also to continue to implement our longstanding policy, which is to lower the tension on prices. France launched the G7 initiative to free up strategic stocks and as of early November will drive down prices, all other things being equal. Thirdly, we've begun discussions in order to help securing some of the most sensitive vessels. Fourthly, the difficulty transport costs that have increased tenfold. We have a guarantee scheme for the major funds in the regions. We're going to be working on that to drive down the shipping costs because there's a shortage of vessels. Too few ships are insured. There are a few ships that are specialized in towing and floating to the Strait of Hormuz, and the logistic cost and The logistics system is totally disrupted through this insurance system. Following up on the initiative took last month through the international coalition. Final aspect that we're working on is diversifying infrastructure consistent with what I did a few weeks ago in Iraq and Syria with the Iraqi prime minister who came to is to reduce our dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. All in all, we've reached our goals. We've secured guarantees on the volumes where there are uncertainties that existed. I can say here that that comforts us for the coming months and secure better conditions for the French people and avoid the shortages that were considered by some operators. As a final point, over above these discussions, we have defense interests, clearly. And through this trip, we were able to consolidate the defense relationship with the UAE. A major agreement has been secured, intergovernmental, to have a joint strategy on the fifth generation of Rafale fighter jets. and a series of agreements reached in Qatar on upgrading the existing Rafale and this morning on armoured vehicles, a major prospect, others that I won't detail. I'll take your question. So you've come here to recover some fuel for the French index for military support by France. can we, that it's a sort of quid pro quo for the countries here? Would you say that the announcement on the fuel supply is going to quell social unrest in France? I think it was important when confidence is established and we're present in difficult times, it's easier to have some visibility. My partners have understood as a client, as a consumer, we need I'd like to emphasize here to say that this strategy ties in with that that we've adopted at home for several years to reduce our dependency. Everything we've launched, the electrification plan, everything we've done on electric vehicles, less than 5% of vehicles were electric in September. that reached 40 percent. So we're reducing our dependency, but we still have some. And so it's useful at this time to have been trusted partners who contributed to security and stability in the region. And our fellow citizens will get the benefit of that, as it should be through country decisions here. It's one of the aspects of the crisis, And I'm very humble and prudent because no one can say how in the coming weeks things will evolve. I'll say that if conditions don't change, it'll improve the situation. But if a conflict flares up and tension, we need to remain prudent. in taking national decisions, which as of November will have an impact on pump prices. We're doing everything we can. we freed up the strategic stock. We organized the release of the strategic stock between Total and our distributors to lower pump prices, to seek out volumes available, securing them. We're doing everything we can and assisting delivering peace. A lot of contingencies and uncertainties that remain, and we need to address those humbly. It's part of the anxiety, and I hear the concerns of our high school students that have other things, but I think we're going the right decision. An imminent recovery between the U.S. and Iran. Have you come to Qatar with a concrete French proposal for mediation to avert this resumption? I won't hear talk about a gamble or gambit. The many choices taken by individuals that I won't discuss. I believe we have never cut off contacts whether with the United States, our allies, and with President Pervez Kharr. We sought to multiply channels of discussion, call for de-escalation, making proposals in the Omani waters of opening up the strait. That remains on the table. We discussed it at length. There was mediation, indeed, done by Qatar. I think it's of prime importance. We discussed at length the details and developments in the coming hours and days. We'll see the return of Iran. And it's on the basis of that feedback, we're at a time, as you all know, that can lead to tensions, elections in Israel, midterm elections in the U.S. At this time, we must redouble in initiatives and efforts to avoid these tensions lead to a resumption of conflict with Qatar they plan to set up a regional hub for armaments can you say a bit more could how France might fit into that process on LNG have you obtained anything on securing their air defense can we have some more information we're a defense partner of Qatar as you know we have several major avenues of cooperation that are solid as a defense we transferred as from the beginning of the conflict ground to air defense capabilities that are effective used by our partners in Qatar and that was recognized by the Emir we continue that relationship which is being strengthened by ramping up of the Qatar air capabilities that will support with a new generation of Rafale jets and by what we've initiated in terms of ground land armaments with armored vehicles and with discussions that we've become on other ground to air defense capabilities, radars and defense systems. So we'll be continuing to move forward. All countries in the region seek to have more autonomy and develop their own defense capabilities We've been a partner for several years now, and this relationship, even before February last, had strengthened considerably. On the gas front, Yes, we have secured for the winter period the equivalent of two terawatts per hour of LNG. That was important and will allow us to move forward Sir, if you'll speak to the impact of the Houthis' strikes on Saudi Arabia, What type of support is France providing to Riyadh? And how do you view the security situation in the Red Sea with the Houthis? Perhaps you'll say the UK is sending fighter jets to Saudi Arabia Could you say what we're sending? Well, firstly, it's important that discussions be resumed with the Houthis and that there be a reduction in tension. What we've said is clearly we're at the side of the security and defense of Saudi Arabia It ties in with my earlier point. Saudi Arabia has a very important pipeline running from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea to Yanbu. Several capabilities have been destroyed by Houthi. We've offered to contribute to reconstructing and securing that site for eight days now. We have capabilities. We're moving forward with Saudi Arabia. We have a defense contribution to help them Did you discuss the situation in Lebanon with the Emir that Qatar was a mediator in Lebanon Will you be sending forces after the departure of UNIFIL with Italy you. Lebanon is very important for us. Three weeks back, President Aoun, we had a working session with the King of Jordan. There was a visit by the Lebanese Prime Minister a few days. We see the untenable situation in which Lebanon finds itself with heightened tensions. The south, the Litani occupied by Israeli army pressure exerted on Lebanon and sovereignty that is under threat, which is not the right way to address the Hezbollah issue. Our goal is simple. It's sovereignty, stability of Lebanon and disarmament of Hezbollah To secure that, we need to obtain a withdrawal of Israeli troops with a trust mechanism and a coordination mechanism to organize that withdrawal, as we did in 24-25. France is prepared to contribute, as is Qatar under strengthening of Lebanese armed forces, whose prime responsibility will be to restore sovereignty and organize in good order through discussions under the responsibility of the President and the Prime Minister the disarming of Hezbollah. We're going to coordinate to undertake this effort of support to the Lebanese armed forces with a conference organized in the coming weeks by France closely. No point in doing it before the Israeli elections. We'll organize that conference. It's preconditioned. And going forward, Lebanese forces have been supported for decades by the international. We regret the decision to end the mandate. And President Aouni going to Washington was to secure a U.S. guarantee for it to continue. I'm sorry that that was unavailing. Working with Italy and other partners on other international forces, we hope that they can get a U.N. mandate. Clear support and France will be ready to contribute in supporting Lebanese armed forces in a clear framework that orderly withdrawal of Israeli forces of southern Lebanon. 24 hours after your address, that was sharply criticized. It's a call for further mobilization after the looting, the fire in the town hall. Do you fear the same scenario and that you will lose control in a law and order? A lot of words that I'll leave to you. Last Saturday, there were unacceptable events in several towns in the country. It hurt us and shocked us all. I spoke Sunday evening. It was my role. I noted what had happened and I asked for clarification and I set out a roadmap. That roadmap is applied. First thing is transparency on events of the 17th. Interior ministers begun to do it tomorrow morning. I'll hold a meeting with all the intelligence services. The prime minister ministers can have a detailed report on exactly what happened. secondly is to take all measures as of monday morning to prevent that in the town centres that were affected there's a repetition of those unacceptable scenes that's what done methodically after measures bans on assembly and as for next Saturday that's what will be done so firmness and We'll use what is available at law to avoid repetition. Curfews have been set up in town. These curfews are respected and assemblies and mobilisations are banned. Those who want to run amok in the town centres next Saturday will be prevented from doing so. We'll implement early intelligence and policing, not just Saturday, but the coming weeks. That's what the government is in line with my request Sunday evening. The third point is to begin discussions with the labor unions, the prime minister doing that, the political parties. That will be tomorrow afternoon to empower everyone in this context. Too many people are ambiguous. Too many say there was legitimate violence. No, there's no legitimate violence. You've interviewed those people. You have it on record. No violence is legitimate, be it physical or verbal, against people or property in democracy. Nothing justifies violence. And next to that, there's the work that is done in order to address the legitimate demands, and in particular for our youth and with the high school organizations, student organizations, of the labour unions, businesses, local authorities too, who have a responsibility, for some have responsibilities for buildings, for high schools, to get everyone round the table in order to have a work plan, clear decisions and move forward. The goal is to hear, to respect the concern, the disagreement, the anger that is there, to address the root causes in an orderly manner, but to separate them from the violence, that we will not yield to that. This roadmap is applied methodically by the government. This morning's meeting, the meeting to be held tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow, I'll hold a security meeting. I'll be with our security forces as of tomorrow afternoon. The Prime Minister will see them as we're organising. As I said, calmly, methodically, with determination. Foreign interference? I'm going to be prudent. Tomorrow I'll have the detailed report. To date, I can tell you what I have. There's no foreign interference that is visible in the events that took place. However, there's foreign manipulation of information that gave rise to unacceptable as well as stupid comments by many, including foreign. We saw AI images that showed scenes that never took place in France. We had people explain that we'd been invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists. It's totally false. In such times, we see who likes France and who doesn't. We're bound to those people who badmouth our country, are people who don't like our countries. And those people upset me. I love my country. We're going to correct what's happened. But the many people, there are people who are campaigning on the back of France, when I see leaders campaigning in the region or across the Atlantic, who from time to time regularly use what's on AI or who convey spheres of what they would have us believe, they're campaigning at our expense. We don't need that. We manage that methodically, resolutely and firmness. We want order, respect and move our country forward. But we can't just say anything. Did you hesitate before maintaining your trip to the Middle East? The former prime minister felt it wasn't a good time, not understood. Your predecessor, François Hollande, says there's a crisis of authority that you've shirked your obligations. Many people to come in, I'll let them comment. It's not my job. I've never done that. There were serious events that occurred on 17th of October last in France. But fortunately, there are events that left no casualties, no fatalities. We have to keep a sense of proportion. We compared it with events in the region. Forgot what countries, shopkeepers. That's what I said that very evening. I'm not just talking about there are countries where there are human fatalities. We need to address these situations with calm and determination. We analyzed the situation on Sunday. Sunday, we weren't pleased with what happened. I expressed my strong disapproval, had reports, spoke to ministers, gave instructions. I spoke directly to the French people on Sunday evening. I said precisely what had happened. that disapproval of those unacceptable acts the town halls affected to the shop owners and to our domestic security forces many of whom were injured i set out a roadmap which is being implemented in parallel what we're doing here is important for french people i decided to maintain the trip. We mustn't be febrile. Our hand mustn't tremble. We need what we're doing for the coming weeks. I fully stand by maintaining my trip for the image of France in the region and for our fellow citizens. My duty is to be firm in decisions that are then applied by the government. The president isn't the prime minister. It's not the domestic security. I've set a course, instructions. They're applied. Twice a day, I had the prime minister and the interior minister spoke to them. And my staff and I'll written and events will resume their course. As far as I'm concerned, I'm in my role. I'm at where there are many people to comment, many few to take their responsibilities. I take is a state of emergency envisage. We know the state of emergency. I was elected for the first time under state of emergency. It was taken in a very specific context of terrorist attacks with serious events. There's a legislative framework that exists that allows the government not to go via the judiciary but administrative to apprehend individuals. Everything that I've said to restore order since Monday doesn't need the state of emergency. We have measures, you know, allows our prefects in light of the local situation to establish curfews, ban assemblies. The first judicial decisions have been taken. We'll follow through with the utmost firmness. It doesn't require the state of emergency of course if the situation were to justify it measures could be taken but our goal is to restore calm through firmness order and legitimate requests for dialogue to have policies to offer to the demonstrators who were peaceful that's what i mentioned firstly at what was said several uh concrete demands on the buildings on the one hand the high schools The question of replacing teachers and counseling will need a scheme to support our high school students for careers guidance. I recall a former system that were a great many young people who were left by the wayside. And so we need a scheme that is more transparent to adjust, provide greater guidance before we must hear the anxiety expressed. But it's become a form of symptom of concern. I fully understand the young people. I'll stop there. There are concrete responses that are being prepared by the government working. They'll report to me tomorrow and meetings will begin as of next week. But our young people in high school, we must understand what they've lived through. These are young people who were in primary school back at the time of the terrorist attacks. When they were ending their primary school, entering high school, went through COVID, they were asked to give up seeing their mates, work from home, and then the return of war in Europe and the ensuing disorder. When they come to these moments that we've all lived through, these worrying times where they need careers guidance, they see the sweep of technology and people who say, well, I don't have a job. You were good at maths. Well, if you're good at maths, you'll have a job. But no, AI is going to replace you. If that youth, of course, there's been a climate concern for many years, that the youth has concerns about its future with a sense that it has been collectively upset by all that's legitimate. We must hear it, support them, do our best. I've tried to do my best these past few years. Maybe I tried to do things right, some that I didn't fully succeed in. And so we owe a debt of gratitude to the young people, and we mustn't give up. Thank you.