The French president responds to his detractors.

Emmanuel Macron, on tour in the Gulf, found it necessary on Friday to speak to Saudi Arabia, “the first Gulf country in terms of size”, in order to “work for the stability of the region”.

This "does not mean that we are complacent," he said, referring to the assassination in 2018 of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the consulate of his country in Istanbul, which strongly tarnished the image of the prince. Saudi heir Mohammed ben Salman (MBS), the strong man of the kingdom.

"We have always been clear on the subject of human rights"

Emmanuel Macron made these declarations in the United Arab Emirates and must continue his tour on Friday evening in Qatar and then in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, where he will be one of the first Western leaders to meet "MBS" since the assassination of Khashoggi.

"I note that Saudi Arabia organized the G20 in the following year (the Khashoggi affair) and I did not note that many powers boycotted the G20", the French president said.

"We have always been clear on the subject of human rights or this matter," he said.

"France has a role to play in the region"

“France has a role to play in the region (…) but how can we want to work for the stability of the region, how can we want to deal with Lebanon and deal with so many subjects while ignoring the leading Gulf country in terms of geography and size ".

“It doesn't mean that we're complacent, that doesn't mean that we forget,” he insisted.

"We remain a demanding partner but we must talk to each other, stay engaged" in the region, "otherwise there is no more dialogue possible", said the French president.

Emmanuel Macron has been very involved for a year in helping Lebanon come out of the worst socio-economic crisis in its history.

Relations between Beirut and the Arab Gulf states have become increasingly strained in recent years due to the growing influence of pro-Iranian Hezbollah.

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Emmanuel Macron on a diplomatic visit to the Gulf countries to sign contracts

  • World

  • Gulf

  • Diplomacy

  • Mohammed ben salman

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Emmanuel Macron

  • Emirates

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