Algerian Envoy to Return to Paris After Months of Tensions

Algeria’s ambassador to Paris Mohamed Antar Daoud is to return to his post after he was recalled in October. (File/APS)
Algeria’s ambassador to Paris Mohamed Antar Daoud is to return to his post after he was recalled in October. (File/APS)
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Algerian Envoy to Return to Paris After Months of Tensions

Algeria’s ambassador to Paris Mohamed Antar Daoud is to return to his post after he was recalled in October. (File/APS)
Algeria’s ambassador to Paris Mohamed Antar Daoud is to return to his post after he was recalled in October. (File/APS)

The Algerian ambassador to France will return to Paris on Jan. 6, Algerian state TV reported on Wednesday, citing a presidency statement.

Mohamed Antar Daoud was recalled for consultations in October following comments attributed to French President Emmanuel Macron in which he doubted the existence of the Algerian nation before the French colonization.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune met with Daoud on Wednesday before he resumes his post.

Algeria also decided to reopen land borders with Tunisia following two years of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Algerian Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud said the borders will be opened during the day only, and travelers are required to undergo a PCR test and respect health measures.



France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

Paris declined to comment on Algeria’s “strong condemnation” of the French government’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Sahara.

The office of the French Foreign Ministry refused to respond to an AFP request for a comment on the Algeria’s stance.

It did say that further comments could impact the trip Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to make to France in late September or early October.

The visit has been postponed on numerous occasions over disagreements between the two countries.

France had explicitly expressed its constant and clear support for the autonomy rule proposal over the Sahara during Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne’s visit to Morocco in February, reported AFP.

The position has helped improve ties between Rabat and Paris.

On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “great regret and strong denunciation" about the French government's decision to recognize an autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region "within Moroccan sovereignty”.

Algeria was informed of the decision by France in recent days, an Algerian foreign ministry statement added.

The ministry also said Algeria would draw all the consequences from the decision and hold the French government alone completely responsible.