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Algerian FM Accused of ‘Violating Constitution’

Abderrazak Makri, the leader of Algeria Islamist political party, the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) is pictured in Algiers, Algeria May 18, 2018, REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina
Abderrazak Makri, the leader of Algeria Islamist political party, the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) is pictured in Algiers, Algeria May 18, 2018, REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina
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Algerian FM Accused of ‘Violating Constitution’

Abderrazak Makri, the leader of Algeria Islamist political party, the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) is pictured in Algiers, Algeria May 18, 2018, REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina
Abderrazak Makri, the leader of Algeria Islamist political party, the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) is pictured in Algiers, Algeria May 18, 2018, REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina

The Movement for the Society of Peace (MSP), Algeria's biggest Islamist political party, accused Foreign Minister Abdulqader al-Msahel of ‘violating the constitution’ after using the French language in his speech in the UN, during its 73rd session in New York.

Head of the Movement of Society for Peace Abderrazak Makri said Wednesday, following a meeting of the party cadres, that the foreign minister using of a foreign language while delivering a speech in front of the General Assembly constituted an abuse of the national sovereignty and a violation of the constitution.

He added that not taking procedures against this incident is proof that the decision-makers are insincere in their repetitive speech about patriotism.

The Algerian constitution stipulates two formal languages: Arabic and Berber language. However, the majority of government officials speak in French in their official meetings and while communicating with the media.

Furthermore, MSP criticized the ambiguity regarding presidential elections and said that was a proof that the ruling system lacked vision.

Earlier, Makri stated that his party wouldn't take part in the political arena in case Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika ran for the presidency.

A statement was issued by the foreign ministry Wednesday to note that the minister called for a political solution that is fair and acceptable by Morocco and Polisario Front – his statement was made during a meeting between Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General President Horst Koehler and al-Msahel.

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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.