Canada’s ambassador praises Saudi response as life resumes in Riyadh

Canada’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Jean-Philippe Linteau, said Wednesday that life in Riyadh has largely returned to normal following recent Iranian attacks, praising the Kingdom’s response to the conflict.

“I have to say we had some difficult moments in Riyadh last week, but there’s a feeling of normalcy here these days, a feeling that the local authorities are handling the situation,” Linteau said.

He said the situation was not one residents of Riyadh or the country itself had wanted to face.

“Unfortunately, they have been dragged in because of the attacks by Iran. But the Saudi authorities, the Saudi government, have shown tremendous restraint,” he said. “And I would say life goes on as normal in Riyadh. This is Ramadan, so it’s a time of year when the rhythm is different. And I have to say, Ramadan is proceeding.”

Linteau also praised Saudi authorities for facilitating travel for Canadians stranded in the region. He said their assistance had enabled Canadian citizens from across the Middle East to enter the Kingdom and travel onward to Canada or other destinations.

Airports in Riyadh and Jeddah have continued operating normally, making them among the few, if not the only, functioning hubs in the region for residents and expatriates seeking to leave or return to the Gulf.

Speaking about the broader conflict, Linteau said Canada remained “very concerned” about the war’s potential impact on the global economy.

He pointed to the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, which Iran has effectively blocked to tanker traffic.

“Canada is committed to peace and stability in the Middle East. And the good thing is that there are a lot of other countries that have the same objectives with whom we can work,” Linteau said. “So, we are going to be engaging with like-minded partners to try to de-escalate and advance a solution to the crisis.”