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France and Germany's leaders said Saturday they want a "coordinated" European Jamal Khashoggi, according to the French presidency.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel moved to a rare dispute between the Europeans and Macron.
The Elysee Palace said, "The two leaders of a Syria summit in Istanbul, the two leaders had a" relaxed exchange ", and agreed to their future positions on the issue of" first level coordination "at the European level.
Macron had previously been made to exist between Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia's purchase of French-made weapons.
"What is the link between arms and Mr. Khashoggi?" he said, calling it "pure demagoguery to call for a halt" to exports over the killing.
The remark was interpreted as a rare veiled criticism of Merkel after the chancellor announced a freeze on arms sales in Riyadh over the dissident's murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Macron said that sales of weapons in Riyadh – France's second largest customer after India – have "nothing to do with Mr Khashoggi.
Macron also said that if Saudi Arabia is to be sanctioned, "we must do so across the board".
"In that case, we should stop selling cars," he told reporters – another possible dig at Germany, a mbadive auto exporter.
Last month Germany approved 416 million euros ($ 470 million) worth of arms exports to Riyadh for 2018, however on Merkel said Friday that "we need to clarify the background of this horrible crime and that, we will not supply weapons to Saudi Arabia" .
Khashoggi's killing has tainted the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been appointed as Saudi reformer, and tested between Washington and Riyadh as Western powers demand answers over his death.
Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler, has denounced the "repulsive" murder, denying any involvement.
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