Algerian Ambassador to Return to France in Coming Days, Says Elysee

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) leave at the end of a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 25, 2022. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) leave at the end of a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 25, 2022. (AFP)
TT

Algerian Ambassador to Return to France in Coming Days, Says Elysee

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) leave at the end of a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 25, 2022. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) leave at the end of a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 25, 2022. (AFP)

Algeria's ambassador to France will return to Paris in the coming days, French President Emmanuel Macron's Elysee office said on Friday, in a move signaling a recovery in relations a month after a diplomatic spat.

The Elysee palace said that during a telephone conversation, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had told Macron that the ambassador would return.

In February, Algeria recalled its ambassador to Paris, accusing France of orchestrating the escape of an activist it wants for arrest and triggering a new crisis between the countries after months of warming relations.

Amira Bouraoui, a rights activist detained during the 2019 mass protests in Algeria and freed from prison in 2020, had allegedly crossed into Tunisia illegally after evading Algerian judicial surveillance, according to Algerian and French media.

She was arrested in Tunisia in early February but was later allowed to fly to France, French media have reported.

"The two heads of state have discussed the conditions of the departure from Tunisia and arrival in France... of a Franco-Algerian national ... this discussion has cleared up misunderstandings," the Elysee statement said.

It added that following Macron's visit to Algeria last August, the presidents agreed on the need to boost cooperation between the two countries in every area, with a view to a future state visit to France by Tebboune.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
TT

US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.