Paris expels 12 Algerian diplomats and recalls ambassador
Paris has expelled 12 Algerian diplomats in response to the expulsion of French embassy staff from Algeria, and President Emmanuel Macron has recalled the French ambassador in Algeria for consultations, the Élysée Palace announced on Tuesday.
The diplomatic dispute marks the current peak of ongoing tensions between the North African country and its former colonial power, France.
The background to the current conflict is the arrest of three Algerians in France, including a consulate employee. They are alleged about a year ago to have temporarily abducted an Algerian influencer in France who is critical of the government in Algiers.
“France takes note with dismay of the decision by the Algerian authorities to expel 12 diplomatic representatives serving at our embassy in Algiers,” the Élysée Palace declared.
It said the decision was unjustified and incomprehensible. Algeria had justified it with the arrest of the consulate employee.
France is now expelling 12 Algerian consular and diplomatic employees, according to the Élysée. “The Algerian authorities bear responsibility for a brutal deterioration of our bilateral relations,” it said.
According to the Paris Foreign Ministry, this is a unique occurrence since the independence of the North African country in 1962.
