France to send experts for probe of Saudi oil attack

PARIS

France will send experts to Saudi Arabia to help investigations into Saturday’s drone attacks on two facilities of state-owned oil company Aramco, the Elysee Palace said on Wednesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Riyadh in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Macron's office said in a statement.

Macron also assured bin Salman that Paris is committed to Saudi Arabia's security as well as regional security.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Saudi Arabia temporarily cut oil production from the two oil facilities, adding up to nearly 2 million barrels per day, but on Tuesday Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said production had returned to pre-attack levels.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of directing the attacks while Saudi Arabia awaits the results of the investigation.

* Writing by Diyar Guldogan