France’s Macron defies anger to welcome Saudi crown prince
- The royal is on his first trip to Europe since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which the US says was sanctioned by the prince
- A recent fist bump between Biden and MBS was seen as a symbol of the Saudi leader’s reintegration into the international community
French President Emmanuel Macron warmly welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, defying anger sparked by hosting the controversial strongman less than four years after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The meeting was the latest step in the diplomatic rehabilitation of the de facto leader of the kingdom who became a pariah in the West following the killing of Khashoggi by Saudi agents inside Saudi’s Istanbul consulate.
Macron on Thursday warmly greeted the ruler universally known as MBS ahead of a dinner, with the two men enjoying a warm handshake that they emphasised by using all four hands.
Shaking off criticism from rights groups and Khashoggi’s fiancé, Macron then guided MBS up the steps on the red carpet into the Elysee Palace.
Neither man made any comment but a statement was expected later from the Elysee.
MBS, seen by supporters as an ambitious and by critics as a tyrant with a ruthless streak, arrived in France following a visit from US President Joe Biden to Riyadh earlier this month.
