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French beach closed for Saudi king's holiday reopens | French beach closed for Saudi king's holiday reopens |
(17 days later) | |
A beach in the south of France that was closed for the Saudi king has reopened after he cut his holiday short. | A beach in the south of France that was closed for the Saudi king has reopened after he cut his holiday short. |
King Salman had been due to stay for three weeks on the French Riviera, but left after only eight days to travel to Tangiers in Morocco. | King Salman had been due to stay for three weeks on the French Riviera, but left after only eight days to travel to Tangiers in Morocco. |
A public beach in Vallauris was closed for the king's visit, causing an uproar among locals. | A public beach in Vallauris was closed for the king's visit, causing an uproar among locals. |
But the beach was reopened on Monday morning, and a lift installed for the king was being dismantled. | But the beach was reopened on Monday morning, and a lift installed for the king was being dismantled. |
"All the security measures are gradually being lifted," the region's sub-prefect Philippe Castanet told France Bleu (in French). | "All the security measures are gradually being lifted," the region's sub-prefect Philippe Castanet told France Bleu (in French). |
Jean-Noel Falcou, a town councillor in Vallauris who lodged a petition against the changes to the beach, welcomed the news that it had reopened. | Jean-Noel Falcou, a town councillor in Vallauris who lodged a petition against the changes to the beach, welcomed the news that it had reopened. |
"All the illegal building work, all the trouble it caused, all the refusal of dialogue by the French state - all of that for only eight days of holiday for the Saudi king," he wrote on his Facebook page on Monday. | "All the illegal building work, all the trouble it caused, all the refusal of dialogue by the French state - all of that for only eight days of holiday for the Saudi king," he wrote on his Facebook page on Monday. |
More than 100,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the beach. Critics of the move said it was a breach of French laws on equality. | More than 100,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the beach. Critics of the move said it was a breach of French laws on equality. |
The Mirandole beach is directly below King Salman's private villa and French officials agreed to seal it off for the monarch's security. | The Mirandole beach is directly below King Salman's private villa and French officials agreed to seal it off for the monarch's security. |
Building the lift had involved pouring a large concrete slab on the sand. | Building the lift had involved pouring a large concrete slab on the sand. |
While some in the community were unhappy at the closure of the beach, many traders warmly welcomed the king and his wealthy entourage. | While some in the community were unhappy at the closure of the beach, many traders warmly welcomed the king and his wealthy entourage. |
Around half of King Salman's 1,000-strong entourage left with him, Mr Castanet said. | Around half of King Salman's 1,000-strong entourage left with him, Mr Castanet said. |
Are you near the beach that was closed for King Salman? What do you think about his departure? You can get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you near the beach that was closed for King Salman? What do you think about his departure? You can get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below |
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