Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman invited to G7 summit in Alberta: sources
CBC
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been invited to attend the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, two government sources told CBC News.
Bin Salman, known as MBS, is a powerful figure in the Middle East and his oil-rich country is seen as a key player in hopes of brokering peace as the deadly war in Gaza drags on.
Sources with knowledge of the invite spoke to CBC News on the condition they not be named. The Saudi embassy has not confirmed whether bin Salman will make the trip to Alberta next week.
Saudi Arabia is not a G7 member, but other world leaders are often invited for discussions at the annual summit.
The Gulf kingdom has been a vocal supporter of the need for a Gaza ceasefire and the recognition of a Palestinian state. The U.S. has pushed for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel amid the ongoing war in the region, but the prospect of formal ties still appears far away.
Bin Salman was also invited to last year's G7 summit in Italy, but did not attend.
Still, the crown prince's invite will likely anger human rights activists.
Bin Salman has denied involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's 2018 murder and has pointed to recent measures expanding women's rights as evidence his country is becoming more progressive and tolerant.
However, human rights watchers push back on that argument, highlighting the ongoing suppression of dissidents and the country's treatment of migrant workers.
Canada sanctioned 17 Saudi nationals linked to the murder of Khashoggi in 2018.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Monday she will make the trip and says she hopes to have a pull-aside conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Her trip north comes as both Canada and Mexico grapple with Trump's persistent tariffs and economic threats, which have also stressed the Canada-Mexico relationship; Ontario Premier Doug Ford has suggested Canada go it alone with the U.S. on trade.
"I have decided that I will attend the G7," Sheinbaum said in a statement Monday. "The foreign affairs minister is working on setting up bilateral meetings — it is likely that we will have one with Trump."
Prime Minister Mark Carney's office has signalled he is hoping to reach a deal on tariffs and trade around the G7 meetings, taking place in Kananaskis, Alta., from June 15 to 17.
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