France apologizes to US over rights post to clear path for ambassador

France's UN mission in Geneva has expressed regret for a July post criticizing the United States, a step toward easing approval of its new ambassador to Washington.

• France's permanent mission to the UN said Friday it regretted a July 25 post on X questioning Washington's commitment to human rights.
• The post said the United States was "a beacon of human rights" no longer, following Washington's July 24 vote against extending Volker Türk's mandate as UN human rights chief.
• The US State Department had frozen approval of Aurélien Lechevalier, Macron's nominee as ambassador to Washington, after the dispute.
• An unnamed State Department official said Washington had "taken note" of France's statement and appreciated it, looking forward to working together.