Algerian President Sacks Transport Minister Over 'Grave Misconduct'

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (Reuters)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (Reuters)
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Algerian President Sacks Transport Minister Over 'Grave Misconduct'

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (Reuters)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (Reuters)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune dismissed the minister of transport for "grave misconduct" in exercising his duties. No further details were provided.

Reasons for such moves are rarely publicized in Algeria, and he is the second transport minister to be sacked since the president took office in December 2019.

"Today, the President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune terminated the duties of the Minister of Transport, Aissa Bekkai, for committing a grave error in the exercise of his duties," the Algerian presidency announced.

Bekkai, 57, had held the position since July 2021. He previously served as deputy minister in charge of foreign trade in the first government of Tebboune's presidency that was appointed in January 2020.

Minister of Public Works Kamal Nasri was assigned as his acting replacement.

Bekkai's dismissal comes after the Ministry of Transport announced the operation of more than 100 additional international flights for the national airline, Air Algérie, starting March 15. Flights had been reduced to a minimum as part of coronavirus-related restrictions.

Lazhar Hani was sacked as transport minister in January 2021, along with the CEO of the state-owned airline Air Algerie for "importing banned goods" in violation of orders to prioritize local production and reduce imports.

The supplies were related to the catering activity onboard, when the airline was shut due to the pandemic and faced financial difficulties.



Egypt: Transfer of Palestinians ‘Risks Expanding’ Conflict in the Region

A man supports himself on crutches as he stands next to vehicles with Palestinians waiting to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza by vehicle through Salahudeen road after they were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
A man supports himself on crutches as he stands next to vehicles with Palestinians waiting to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza by vehicle through Salahudeen road after they were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
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Egypt: Transfer of Palestinians ‘Risks Expanding’ Conflict in the Region

A man supports himself on crutches as he stands next to vehicles with Palestinians waiting to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza by vehicle through Salahudeen road after they were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
A man supports himself on crutches as he stands next to vehicles with Palestinians waiting to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza by vehicle through Salahudeen road after they were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

Egypt has rejected US President Donald Trump’s proposal on the transfer of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

The temporary or long-term transfer of Palestinians “risks expanding the conflict in the region and undermines prospects of peace and coexistence among its people,” Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Trump floated the idea on Saturday, saying he would urge the leaders of both Egypt and Jordan to take in Gaza's now largely homeless population, so that "we just clean out that whole thing.”

He added that resettling most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million could be temporary or long term.

“It’s literally a demolition site right now,” Trump said, referring to the vast destruction caused by Israel's 15-month war with Hamas, now paused by a fragile ceasefire.
“I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations, and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change," Trump said.