PARIS: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef himself requested to be honored with the prestigious award of Legion d’Honneur, a French magazine has revealed.
Causette published this week a series of email exchanges between French officials showing they accepted a request by the Saudi prince to award him the prestigious award earlier this month.
No reason not to do it: It must be discreet concerning the media, without covering it up, said the North Africa/Middle East director of the French Foreign Ministry in response to warnings that the awarding would raise questions due to Saudi Arabias bad reputation in human rights.
The French ambassador to Riyadh had warned advisors in the presidency and foreign ministry ahead of the awarding that the move may stir controversy in the media.
The official in the foreign ministry responded by saying that if questioned why the award should be given to Prince Nayef, the government should respond ‘(for the) fight against Daesh and economic partnership’. Of course, let’s add, for good measure, elements about human rights, Causette reported.
The Saudi press agency SPA announced the news of the award for the first time as French officials had remained silent on the issue. The announcement triggered a harsh criticism on social media, with many highlighting the role of Nayef, who is also the Saudi interior minister, in the kingdoms human rights violations.
The French magazine also revealed that the awarding was done at the request of Nayef, saying he had asked for the honor at a time in which he seeks to boost his international stature.
The report said French President Francois Hollande gave the green light to the move hours after foreign ministry officials approved it. Hollande awarded Nayef with the Legion d’Honneur during a visit to Saudi Arabia
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