During discussions in Paris on Friday, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman complimented French President Emmanuel Macron for his "warm greeting," angering rights organisations.
In a note published by the Saudi foreign ministry, bin Salman said, "As I depart your friendly nation, it gives me great pleasure to express to your Excellency my greatest gratitude and appreciation for the excellent greeting and hospitality extended to me and the accompanying party."
The meal on Thursday night was the most recent development in the diplomatic rehabilitation of the Saudi kingdom's de facto ruler.
Following the death of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018, the 36-year-old was shunned in the West.
The negotiations that took place overnight were anticipated to be about getting additional oil and gas supplies from the largest producer in the Middle East, but Macron's administration made no public statements regarding them.
Western officials are courting the prince once more as they scramble to find new sources of fossil fuels to make up for decreased Russian supply.
Earlier this month, US Vice President Joe Biden visited Riyadh and received similar backlash at home as Macron did.
In contrast to Biden's controversial fist-bump of bin Salman, Macron greeted the prince by shaking hands on the steps of the Elysee Palace.
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