France and US End Social Media Row, Clearing Path for Ambassador Confirmation

France has defused a social media row with the US after an online spat over voting in the UN General Assembly reportedly led to the delay in confirming Paris' envoy to Washington. The row began in July when the French mission to the UN in Geneva posted a comment questioning Washington's commitment to human rights. The US responded by walking out of a UN security council meeting. France has since apologized for the comment, stating that differences in public opinion do not impede close dialogue with the US. The US has accepted the apology, paving the way for the confirmation of French diplomat Aurélien Lechevallier as ambassador to the US. Lechevallier is currently chief of staff to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and is set to replace Laurent Bili in the role. This is not the first diplomatic spat between the two countries, with a similar incident occurring last year over rising antisemitism in France.