France apologises for human rights criticism that sparked US walkout
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FILE PHOTO: French and US flags are seen prior to the arrival of US President at Paris Orly airport near Paris, on June 5, 2024, as he travels to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. JULIEN DE ROSA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
PARIS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - France's mission to the United Nations in Geneva has said it "regrets" criticising the United States over human rights in a social media post that triggered a diplomatic dispute which has delayed the arrival of a new French ambassador in Washington.
In a post on X in late July, the French mission had criticised the United States for joining countries including Russia and North Korea in voting against extending the term of U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk.
The message angered Washington, which responded by walking out of a U.N. Security Council meeting while France was speaking. Sources said the U.S. was also weighing blocking France's choice as its next ambassador in Washington.
"The Permanent Mission of France to the U.N. in Geneva regrets the 25 July 2026 message posted on X that called into question the U.S. commitment to human rights," the mission said.
The difference in views "concerned one vote, and not the defence of human rights," it said in a statement in English published on its website.
France's foreign affairs ministry declined to comment further.
“We note and appreciate France’s statement, and look forward to working together to further shared values and interests,” a State Department official said in response to a Reuters request for comment.
The apology, earlier reported by French daily Le Monde, may open the way for France's nominee as next ambassador to the U.S., Aurelien Lechevallier, to be approved by Washington.
Lechevallier, a former Elysee aide, is currently Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's chief of staff. Paris had aimed to have him in post by September, a source has said.
(Reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris, additional reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak in New York; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
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