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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Macron, MBS discuss importance of diversifying energy supplies

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Jul 2022 17:32
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Despite the anger of human rights advocates, MBS makes his first visit to Europe since the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018.

  • x
  • Macron, MBS discuss importance of diversifying energy supplies
    French President and Saudi Crown Prince

In his first visit to Europe since the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Mohammed Bin Salman was welcomed Thursday, July 28, with a long handshake by Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysée Palace, where he was invited for dinner.

The two agreed to collaborate on "intensifying their cooperation to ease the effects (of the war) in Europe, the Middle East, and the world," Macron's office said Friday, after talks in Paris that marked the full diplomatic rehabilitation of the Saudi leader.

"The President of the Republic underscored the importance of close coordination with Saudi Arabia on diversifying energy supplies to European states and introduced the FARM [Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission] initiative," the statement read on Friday.

France is not the first country to seek negotiations with the Saudi regime. Greece had recently signed an array of negotiations with Saudi entrepreneurs in a bid to satisfy its energy needs in the plight of the EU blockade on Russian oil. 

As he left the palace, bin Salman expressed his "deepest gratitude and appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality" in a statement posted online by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

He later went to stay overnight at his chateau Louis XIV in Louveciennes, dubbed the "world's most expensive home" at the time of purchase, a property that was built by Jamal Khashoggi's cousin Emad.

Read more: MBS in Greece then to France as Western energy crisis deepens

Outrage among human rights groups 

Outraged human rights groups were quick to comment on the meeting due to MBS' suspected role in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Senior left-wing MP Alexis Corbiere told BFM television on Friday that "he's shaking the hand for a long time of a man whose hands are covered in blood," calling MBS "the chief butcher of the slaughter" in Yemen. 

Related News

EU declares largest global Ukraine support package of $200 billion

CNBC unveils strategic plan to revitalize Syria energy sector with US

For Macron's allies, it is rather a matter of priority for ensuring the country's basic needs. The question of human rights is raised loudly, before disappearing under the weight of "realpolitik", economic interests, and arms contracts. 

But questions are raised with regards to Saudi Arabia's capacity to fully satisfy France and the EU's energy needs. Analysts say the OPEC meeting which is scheduled for August 3 will be decisive to know if member countries, including Saudi Arabia, will continue to assess market conditions and do what is necessary.

"There are partners, countries that do not all share the same democratic values as France," French Public Services Minister Stanislas Guerini, a close ally of the President told Europe 1 radio.

"I believe it would be a mistake to not speak, to not try to make things happen," he added. "French values, the voice of France, human rights, were carried last night, as always, by the president." 

Read more: Macron hosting MBS; duplicity or diplomacy?

MBS' rehabilitation

Macron's decision to host the controversial royal sparked fierce criticism at home from human rights groups and left-wing opponents. Throughout the day, reviews of this visit poured in from all sides. 

While #SaudiArabia's Crown Prince #MohammadbinSalman is looking for readmission into the international fold, rights groups are slamming his visit to #France, barely four years after the murder of #Saudi journalist #JamalKhashoggi, as totally inappropriate. pic.twitter.com/CjySVXJB8q

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 29, 2022

Head of Amnesty International Agnes Callamard told AFP she felt "profoundly troubled by the visit." “There is really a rehabilitation at the international level of MBS. And this individual is a murderer,” Agnès Callamard told France Inter.

The latter had conducted an investigation into the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, columnist for the Washington Post and fervent critic of the Saudi regime when she was UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions.

On her part, Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of the Saudi journalist killed at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, said, "I am scandalized and outraged that Emmanuel Macron receives with all honors the executioner of my fiancé."

"The surge in energy prices because of the war in Ukraine cannot justify that in the name of an alleged realpolitik we absolve the person responsible for the Saudi policy towards political opponents which leads to their killing, as was the case for Jamall," she added.

Read more: EU states intend to ask for exemptions from plans to reduce gas demand

  • Emmanuel Macron
  • MBS
  • Energy crisis

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Britain Trained Israeli Soldiers Involved in Gaza War: Declassified
Europe

UK training of Israeli officers sparks outcry over Gaza war complicity

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Politics

Luxembourg to recognize Palestine at UN summit next week

European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

EU exec. branch to adopt new sanctions against 'Israel' on Wednesday

Charlie Kirk killing suspect faces charges in Utah court hearing
US & Canada

Charlie Kirk murder suspect faces formal charges in Utah court hearing

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