The head of French diplomacy goes to Riyadh in search of support

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in Bucharest, Romania, January 27, 2023. AP - Andreea Alexandru

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The French Foreign Minister is in Riyadh this Thursday, February 2.

Catherine Colonna will then travel to Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Objective: to strengthen partnerships with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a context of instability.

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For her first visit to the Persian Gulf, Catherine Colonna has chosen two allies of France, whose leaders were received at the Elysee Palace last July and whose support she is currently seeking.

وزيرة الخارجية الفرنسية تصل الرياض في زيارة رسمية للمملrets.

— واس العام (@SPAregions) February 1, 2023

To describe the ties that exist with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Paris speaks of “ 

”, and even of “ 

 ”.

A heat that France wishes to use to ease regional tensions.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, guilty of " 

" according to a French diplomatic source, is first singled out for its uranium enrichment work, the development of an arsenal of missiles deployed in other countries in the Middle East, and drones, now sold to Russia for its operations in Ukraine.

►Also listen: Catherine Colonna: "We must help Ukraine to reclaim what it must reclaim"

Faced with Tehran, Paris advocates both firmness and dialogue.

The Iranian threat " 

", notes the same diplomatic source.

But France also wants to encourage the resumption of negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The other French concern concerns Lebanon, a country without a president and without a full-fledged government as it " 

", estimates the Quai d'Orsay.

Here too, the support of Riyadh, which enjoys significant influence in Lebanon, both politically and in terms of humanitarian support, is essential.

And to avoid the collapse of the country of the Cedars, " 

 ", considers French diplomacy.

A friendship that makes you cringe

The proximity displayed by France with Saudi Arabia irritates human rights defenders.

Two NGOs have notably pointed to the acceleration of the use of the death penalty and torture by the Gulf monarchy.

The number of executions has doubled in Saudi Arabia, according to the British organization Reprieve and the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights.

Since the current King Salman and his son Mohammed came to power in 2015, Riyadh has gone from an average of 71 executions per year to 129. Last year, 147 people were executed.

The director of the NGO Reprieve denounces the use of the death penalty to crush freedom of expression in the country.

The reforms carried out by Prince Mohammed ben Salman are highlighted by the authorities on the international scene.

However, they are accompanied by a relentless crackdown on political dissent, according to human rights activists.

The report also denounces the use of systematic torture, from which minors are not spared, as well as the violation of procedures, which therefore implies unfair trials.

The French Foreign Minister announced that Iran would be one of the main topics of discussion with her Saudi counterpart.

There will surely also be talks about nuclear negotiations.

It is difficult, however, to imagine a discussion on human rights.

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• France

• Catherine Colonna

• Saudi Arabia

• United Arab Emirates

• Diplomacy

• Iran

• Mohammad bin Salman

• Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud

• Human rights

• Nuclear

• Lebanon