France expels 12 Algerian officials in tit-for-tat move amid diplomatic tensions
AP —
France said Tuesday it was expelling 12 Algerian diplomatic officials a day after Algeria announced the expulsion of the same number of French officials in escalating tensions between the two countries.
Algeria said Monday that its expulsion of 12 French officials was over the arrest of an Algerian consular official by French authorities in a kidnapping case, but relations between the two sides have been deteriorating since last summer.
That's when France shifted its position to support Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara – a disputed territory claimed by the pro-independence Polisario Front, which receives support from Algeria.
Tensions further peaked in November after Algeria arrested French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who is an outspoken critic of Islamism and the Algerian regime. He has since been sentenced to five years in prison – a verdict he subsequently appealed.
In addition to what French officials called the 'symmetrically' calibrated expulsion of 12 Algerian officials, France's ambassador to Algiers also was being recalled home for consultations, a statement from the French presidential palace said Tuesday.
It said Algerian authorities were responsible for 'a brutal deterioration in our bilateral relations.'
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on X that Algeria's decision was 'unjustified' and that dialogue 'cannot go one-way.'
French counterterrorism prosecutors said three Algerian nationals in total were arrested last week and handed preliminary charges of 'kidnapping or arbitrary detention … in connection with a terrorist undertaking.'
The group is allegedly involved in the April 2024 kidnapping of an Algerian influencer, Amir Boukhors, or Amir DZ, a known critic of the Algerian government with 1.1 million followers on TikTok.
The Algerian foreign affairs ministry said the arrest of the consular official as part of the kidnapping case aimed to 'humiliate Algeria, with no consideration for the consular status of this agent, disregarding all diplomatic customs and practices, and in flagrant violation of the relevant conventions and treaties.'
The latest surge in acrimony followed a brief easing of tensions about two weeks ago when French President Emmanuel Macron called Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune. French officials said at the time that they had agreed to revive bilateral relations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Today
33 minutes ago
- Egypt Today
Arab banking sector must strengthen resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty
PARIS, June 21 (MENA) – The Arab banking sector must maintain and strengthen its resilience in the face of ongoing geopolitical turbulence, International Monetary Fund Executive Director and Arab Group and Maldives Representative Mohamed Maait said. Speaking to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) on the sidelines of the 2025 Arab International Banking Summit in Paris, Maait warned that the annual conference comes amid 'highly complex and uncertain' global and regional conditions whose impact may extend beyond politics and security into the economic sphere. 'No one knows the full consequences of these crises yet. They won't be limited to political or military aspects—they will certainly affect the economy,' Maait said. 'The banking sector is now focused on navigating this heightened uncertainty and rapid change.' He underscored the importance of such summits in fostering dialogue, calling the banking sector the 'backbone of any economy.' The conference—organized by the Union of Arab Banks in partnership with French banking institutions—provides a platform for practical discussions and policy proposals, he said. Maait emphasized the need for Arab banks to formulate policies to address both present and unforeseen future shocks. 'It's crucial for Arab banking systems to be able to withstand not only the current crises but those still to come,' he said. He also highlighted the growing importance of regional cooperation. 'There is a shift toward regional solutions. In the future, reliance on international institutions like the World Bank and IMF may no longer be the default. Regional bodies must become the first and strongest line of defense.' Maait said forums like this promote the exchange of ideas and expertise to develop actionable solutions. In his keynote speech, he stressed that economic resilience is now essential, advocating for structural reforms, investment in human capital and infrastructure, and greater support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He also called for stronger Arab-European partnerships to foster stability and sustainable growth through flexible fiscal policies, resource integration, and experience-sharing. The 2025 Arab International Banking Summit opened in Paris on Friday under the patronage of the French president, bringing together banking and financial leaders from Europe and the Arab world, including Egypt. The event was organized by the Union of Arab Banks (UAB) in cooperation with the European Banking Federation, the French Banking Federation, the Union of Francophone Banks, the Arab-French Chamber of Commerce, and the International Banking Federation. It was attended by Arab ambassadors to France, including that of Egypt, Alaa Youssef, along with senior officials from financial, banking, and diplomatic institutions. This year's summit, titled 'Economic Resilience in Light of Geopolitical Changes,' aims to foster dialogue between stakeholders from Europe and the MENA region. Topics include common economic and financial challenges, opportunities for boosting growth through investment, trade, and technology, and the impact of global uncertainty on regional financial systems.
See - Sada Elbalad
an hour ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Dodgers Donate $1M to L.A. Immigrant Families Affected by ICE Raids
Yara Sameh After a federal judge confirmed US President Donald Trump's control of the California National Guard, the Los Angeles Dodgers are giving back to those in the community impacted by the recent ICE raids. On Friday, the 8x World Series champs announced a $1 million donation in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, as well as several local organizations, to provide financial assistance for families of immigrants impacted by the raids. 'What's happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected,' said Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten. 'We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles.' Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement, 'I want to thank the Dodgers for leading with this action to support the immigrant community of Los Angeles. These last weeks have sent shockwaves of fear rippling through every neighborhood and have had a direct impact on our economy. My message to all Angelenos is clear: We will stick together during this time and we will not turn our backs on one another — that's what makes this the greatest city in the world.' After the MLB team and the city previously joined forces to dispense financial resources to those in need during the Southern California wildfires in January, they're encouraging local organizations to step up in a similar way as they did during the natural disaster to assist with food insecurity, basic essentials and mental health services. The organizations involved in the latest initiative include the California Community Foundation and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Under a very targeted reading of an obscure statute, Trump moved to federalize the Golden State National Guard on June 7 without Newsom's consent in response to protests over a flood of ICE raids in and around LA on June 6. Since then, the parties have traded insults over social media and mainstream media, as well as been in and out of court as citizens have taken to the streets, federal buildings have become make-shift detention centers for immigrants hauled in by masked and often no warrant producing agents, and a curfew was placed on DTLA for over a week. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
See - Sada Elbalad
13 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Iran amid War with Israel
Rana Atef On Friday, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck northern Iran, according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquake came amid the escalating military tensions and exchanged strikes between Iran and Israel. Iran's Tasnim news agency announced that the earthquake measured 5.2, struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, about 37 kilometres southwest of the city of Semnan. The quake's epicentre was outside the city of Semnan, around 210km east of the capital. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
