“France has adopted a very specific arms process, with an existing commission that has reinforced its rules of distribution whereby all sales of military equipment are analyzed on a case-by-case basis and on the basis of reinforced criteria that reflect respect for international humanitarian law and the risk of harm to civilian populations,” Macron said.
LIVE l Conférence de presse avec Mohammed Bin Salman, prince héritier du royaume d'Arabie Saoudite. https://t.co/Wadfnt0khF
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) 10 апреля 2018 г.
“Stability in the Middle East is our common goal. With Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Elysee Palace,” the French President tweeted.
Un objectif commun: la stabilité du Moyen-Orient.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) 10 апреля 2018 г.
À l'@Elysee avec le Premier ministre libanais Saad Hariri et le Prince-héritier d'Arabie Saoudite Mohammed bin Salman. pic.twitter.com/DU7yNwlyac
Macron’s support for Saudi Arabia and the decision to continue selling arms to Riyadh, which is involved in the Yemeni war, has outraged many people in France, who immediately took to Twitter to express their indignation:
“Mr. Macron, it’s MBS [Mohammed bin Salman] who destabilizes the Middle East. Stop supporting him like foolish Trump.”
Mr Macron, c'est le MBS qui déstabilise le moyen orient. Arreter de le soutenir comme fait le foux trump
— onfo5 bellaban (@SalamehJack) 10 апреля 2018 г.
“Saudi Arabia is working hard on stability in Yemen with French weapons.”
Arabie-Saoudite œuvre grandement à la stabilité du Yémen grâce à des armes françaises.
— DURE (@DURE16568799) 10 апреля 2018 г.
“Stability? And what about arms contracts that you’re going to sign with Riyadh at the end of the year? Are they for water guns?”
Stabilité? Et les contrats d'armement que vous allez signer à Ryad à la fin de l'année? C'est pour des pistolets à eau?
— Mec pacifique (@mec_pacifique) 11 апреля 2018 г.
“How can we speak about stability if we sell weapons to terrorist States. Macron has no morality.”
Comment parler de stabilité quant on vend des armes aux etats terroristes.
— PatSoub (@PatBowie42) 11 апреля 2018 г.
Il n' a pas de morale ce MACRON.
“How many contracts for these rogue states?”
Et combien de contrats pour ces voyous?? €€€$$$
— Amanullah (@gamet2010) 11 апреля 2018 г.
“Stability with bombs made in France, I suppose?”
La stabilité à coups de bombes made in France, I suppose? 😬
— Bad Motherfucker (@OuateDePhuck) 10 апреля 2018 г.
“The only courageous decision would have been to suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which bombs civilians in Yemen. But the president of the rich is the sales representative of French arms manufacturers. War crimes can continue.”
La seule décision courageuse aurait été de suspendre les ventes d'armes à l'Arabie Saoudite, qui bombarde la population civile au Yémen. Mais le président des riches est le VRP des industriels de l'armement français. Les crimes de guerre peuvent continuer.
— poxxk (@poxxk) 10 апреля 2018 г.
“Emmanuel Macron sells arms to Saudi Arabia to accompany it in its genocide in Yemen, and we speak of ‘international law’?”
.@EmmanuelMacron vend des armes à l'Arabie Saoudite pour l'accompagner dans son généocide au Yemen et on parle de "droit international"???#MBSenFrance #PasdArmesAuKSA
— Juliette Beaulieu (@BeauJuliett) 10 апреля 2018 г.
However, there were those who showed some support for the strengthening of French-Saudi relations, saying that the recent developments fell within Salman’s “Vision 2030” strategy, outlining the future of the kingdom:
Saudi-France relations are very strong and we will work together toward what will benefit us both and defeating any threat to our security 🇸🇦❤️🇫🇷
— Ahmad Alshehri (@alshhreahmad20) 10 апреля 2018 г.
Great partnership between Saudi Arabia and France which will develop the economy of Saudi Arabia.
— Reem ♡ (@reem_112015) 10 апреля 2018 г.
France is a partner in 2030 vision and this visit from the Saudi crown prince shows that. All the best for my country and we are looking for bright future for our country
Two young leaders with similar future vision which will provide bright future for both countries
— غير مجتهد ♣️ (@nonmojtahd) 10 апреля 2018 г.
France is the world’s third largest arms exporter, and Saudi Arabia is one of its biggest purchasers: on April 8, Paris and Riyadh sealed a new intergovernmental agreement on a weapons deal.
