In Saudi Arabia, Macron announces joint initiative for Lebanon

Audio 01:12

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, December 4, 2021. Above, a photo of King Salman.

AP - Bandar Aljaloud

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Emmanuel Macron flew to Paris after his meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed ben Salman, with whom he called the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in order to try to find a way out of the diplomatic quarrel between Beirut and Riyadh.

The president also said he addressed the issue of human rights.

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With our special correspondent in Jeddah,

Valérie Gas

Human rights were the most sensitive subject of this visit to Saudi Arabia.

And Emmanuel Macron wanted to reassure on this point, after his interview with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed ben Salman.

It was a direct exchange, I hope effective, and as you know I always have the same approach which consists in trying to preserve this channel with the leaders to obtain tangible results

 ", confides the French president.

A method that will have to prove its effectiveness over time.

►Read also: Emmanuel Macron in Saudi Arabia to end his tour in the Gulf

This visit also allowed Emmanuel Macron to discuss regional issues such as

Iranian nuclear power

, and especially the situation in

Lebanon

.

The Head of State expressed his satisfaction at having obtained from Mohammed ben Salman a commitment to work with France in support of the Lebanese people.

On Lebanon, we worked together and then together we called Prime Minister Mikati a few moments ago to send a clear message: Saudi Arabia and France want to fully engage, it was very clear in the terms he used.

We want to get involved to be in support of the Lebanese people

Emmanuel Macron announces Lebanese initiative with Saudi Arabia

Valerie Gas

Emmanuel Macron believes he has fulfilled his objectives during this tour in the Gulf.

The return to Paris will plunge him back into a campaign where The Republicans

have just appointed

Valérie Pécresse as presidential candidate.

No comment on this designation, and no need to insist: " 

I will not make any remarks about domestic politics from this airport, you will understand it

 ", explained Mr. Macron, who remains for the moment a player apart in the presidential campaign .

► Also listen: In the Gulf countries Emmanuel Macron plays "the argument of realism"

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  • France

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Emmanuel Macron

  • Mohammed bin salman

  • Diplomacy

  • Lebanon

  • Najib mikati

  • Human rights