Macron defies anger to welcome Saudi strongman
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday 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 the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The meeting is 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 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 fiance, 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 from the Elysee after the talks. MBS, seen by supporters as 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. The killing of Khashoggi was described by a UN probe as an "extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia is responsible". US intelligence agencies determined that MBS had "approved" the operation that led to Khashoggi's death. Riyadh denies this, blaming rogue operatives. "I am scandalised and outraged that Emmanuel Macron is receiving with all the honours the executioner of my fiance," said Khashoggi's widow, Hatice Cengiz. "All the international investigations carried out up to this point... recognise the responsibility of MBS in the assassination." But for Western countries desperate to find new sources of energy, the 36-year-old head of the world's biggest oil producer has become an essential figure. Moscow's war in Ukraine has sent energy prices soaring, with Western nations scouring the globe to find supplies to replace oil and gas from Russia. An aide to Macron defended the working dinner at a time of a global energy and food crisis, while promising that human rights would be raised. "He will talk about it (rights) in a general way, but will also take the chance to raise individual cases," the aide said on condition of anonymity. "For the president to have an influence and tackle the problems that European countries and France face... the only way is to talk with all of our partners." (AFP)