Paris backs down from criticism of Washington that ignited diplomatic crisis
Amman2 min read
Share
France’s permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva expressed “regret” for criticizing the United States over its human rights record in a social media post that sparked a diplomatic dispute and delayed the arrival of the new French ambassador to Washington.
In a post on the X platform in late July, the French mission criticized the United States for joining countries including Russia and North Korea in voting against extending the mandate of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
The post angered Washington, which responded by walking out of a UN Security Council session while France was delivering its speech. Sources said the United States was also considering blocking France's choice for its next ambassador to Washington.
The mission stated, “The Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in Geneva regrets the message published on the X platform on July 25, 2026, which questioned the United States' commitment to human rights.”
It added in an English-language statement published on its website that the divergence of views “related to a single vote, and not to the defense of human rights.”
A U.S. State Department official, responding to a request for comment from Reuters, said, “We have seen France’s statement and appreciate it, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to promote our shared values and interests.”
This apology, reported earlier by the French newspaper Le Monde, may pave the way for Washington's approval of the appointment of Aurélien Lechevallier as France's ambassador to the United States.
Lechevallier, a former Élysée Palace aide, currently serves as the chief of staff to Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. A source said Paris had been targeting him to take up the post by September.
