Trudeau plans to steer clear of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at G20

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not plan to directly confront one of the most controversial leaders at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trudeau held a bilateral meeting this morning with French President Emmanuel Macron, and is also set to sit down with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Both leaders have spoken directly to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince at the summit of world leaders.

READ MORE: Memo says relations between Canada and Saudis ‘fractured,’ kingdom seeking exit strategies from existing deals

All eyes have been on the Saudi crown prince during the trip, which marks his first major overseas appearance since the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October.

WATCH: Vladimir Putin, Mohammad bin Salman warmly greet one another at G20 

0:30 Vladimir Putin, Mohammad bin Salman warmly greet one another at G20

On Friday, May’s office said the prime minister stressed to Salman the importance of ensuring those responsible for the “appalling murder” of Khashoggi are held to account.

Macron also came face-to-face with the Saudi crown prince, and an official said the tense exchange captured on video shows the president’s firm stance.

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On Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Canada was imposing sanctions on 17 Saudi Arabian nationals the government deems linked to Khashoggi’s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

WATCH: G20 leaders gather for gala, second ‘family photo’ in Argentina

1:31 G20 leaders gather for gala, second ‘family photo’ in Argentina