Algeria Retrieves Bodies of African Migrants after Boat Capsizes

An African migrant sits beside tents at a makeshift camp set up under the bridge of a motorway on the outskirts of Algiers, Algeria June 28, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
An African migrant sits beside tents at a makeshift camp set up under the bridge of a motorway on the outskirts of Algiers, Algeria June 28, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
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Algeria Retrieves Bodies of African Migrants after Boat Capsizes

An African migrant sits beside tents at a makeshift camp set up under the bridge of a motorway on the outskirts of Algiers, Algeria June 28, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
An African migrant sits beside tents at a makeshift camp set up under the bridge of a motorway on the outskirts of Algiers, Algeria June 28, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Algerian authorities have retrieved the bodies of seven African migrants whose boat capsized offshore, Ennahar TV reported on Monday.

It said six more migrants had been transferred to hospital for treatment.

Attempts by migrants to reach Europe from the North African coastline tend to increase in spring and summer, due to the lower risk of stormy seas.

Tunisia and Libya are principal departure points and Italy a favored destination.



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.