Macron hosts Saudi’s crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Middle East

A French official said agreements, on health, transport and energy, will be signed on Monday alongside talks likely to focus on Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday welcomed Saudi crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman for a two-day visit, hosting him at the Esports World Cup before a second day focused on bilateral deals and the situation in the Middle East.

A French presidential official said several agreements, on health, transport and energy, will be signed on Monday alongside talks likely to focus on Iran.

But the visit kicked off on Sunday evening on a lighter note with the crown prince being hosted by Macron at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup hosted by Paris.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino was also there and Macron spoke to leading gamers, handing out trophies.

The event, which brings together the leading performers in esports ranging from computer games to chess and has been eagerly backed by Riyadh, is being held outside Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Paris is keen to emphasise that the crown prince rarely leaves his home country other than for international summits and his trip to France was the first such for almost a year.