Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed

Ball in Iran's court: French presidency

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Jul 2022 19:21
4 Min Read

Macron will reportedly discuss human rights issues, including individual cases, as well as oil production and the Iran nuclear deal, a French top aide has revealed.

  • x
  • French President Emmanuel Macron
    French President Emmanuel Macron

Despite the killing of Khashoggi, and given the energy crisis in France and all that the West is facing, President Emmanuel Macron will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of increased Western efforts to court the major oil-producing state amid increasing energy prices and stalled talks to restart a nuclear deal with Iran.

Macron's decision to invite a man Western leaders believe ordered the murder of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 to dinner at the Elysee Palace has been criticized by both French opposition figures and human rights groups.

Read next: Macron hosting MBS; duplicity or diplomacy?

Macron will reportedly discuss human rights issues, including individual cases, as well as oil production and the Iran nuclear deal, as per a French presidency official.

“Ball in Iran's court to save nuclear deal”

Ahead of talks between Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), a French presidency official said that “there is still time to save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, but the ball remains in Tehran's court."

Read more: Marandi on Vienna talks: Main obstacle is US refusal to lift sanctions

The de facto Saudi ruler's visit to Paris comes two weeks after he met with US President Joe Biden in Saudi Arabia. 

It seems that the oil-thirsty West is eager to reestablish relations with the Gulf Arab oil giant, despite Saudi Arabia's longstanding human rights abuses.

"The rehabilitation of the murderous prince will be justified in France as in the United States by arguments of realpolitik. But it's actually bargaining that predominates, let's face it," Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard tweeted ahead of MBS's visit to France.

Related News

Turkey's President starts Gulf tour with trip to Saudi Arabia

UK invites MBS despite Saudi Arabia's poor record in human rights: FT

Following the war in Ukraine, which resulted in Moscow cutting off gas supplies to Europe, France, and other European countries are looking to diversify their energy sources. Macron wants Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, to increase output.

The controversial visit 

France is one of Riyadh's main arms suppliers, but it has come under increasing pressure to reconsider its sales due to the world's worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been leading brutal aggression since 2015.

Macron, who became the first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since the Khashoggi affair last December, has dismissed criticism of his efforts to engage with the crown prince, claiming that the kingdom is too important to ignore.

It is also worth noting that French prosecutors are investigating complaints filed against MBS regarding Saudi involvement in the war on Yemen. 

Furthermore, Rights groups Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), and TRIAL International announced on Thursday that they had filed a new complaint asking French authorities to open an investigation into MBS over Khashoggi's torture and murder.

Human rights issues?

During a working dinner on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron will discuss human rights issues and "individual cases" with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a senior aide.

"The president will raise the issue of human rights as he does on each occasion with Mohammed bin Salman," the aide stressed on condition of anonymity.

"He will talk about it in a general way, but will also take the chance to raise individual cases," he noted.

When asked about the dinner's criticism only four years after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, he reiterated France's long-standing demand that those responsible be "brought to justice."

All for oil 

However, the official justified the dinner as necessary, citing record energy prices linked to the war in Ukraine, a developing Middle Eastern food crisis, and concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

"If we want to confront and deal with the consequences of these crises on one hand and have an influence in the region for the benefit of all, the only way is to talk to the main actors," the aide concluded.

Amid the energy crisis, France’s position regarding MBS has clearly changed and the human rights problem it had faced with Riyadh turned into a distant memory as it sought to solve its energy problem through talks with Saudi Arabia.

Read more: Saudi Arabia carries out mass execution of 81 people

  • Macron
  • MBS
  • France
  • Oil prices
  • Khashoggi murder
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS