Explained: Sisi, Macron and the dubious history of France's Legion of Honour
News that France granted the Egyptian leader an honorific medal has sparked outrage. But the grand cross has a long history of being handed out to questionable figures
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at Elysee Presidential Palace on 7 December 2020 in Paris (AFP)
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Published date: 18 December 2020 18:22 UTC
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Last update: 3 months 1 week ago
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi may be back in Cairo, but his visit last week to France continues to make waves.
The Egyptian leader was welcomed in Paris with much fanfare between 6 and 8 December, with French President Emmanuel Macron heavily criticised for saying he would not condition the future sale of weapons to Egypt on human rights.