Algeria Refutes Claims of Heightened Tensions Amid Diplomatic Dispute with France
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Algiers, Jan 12 (NationPress) Algeria has declared that it harbors no intention of escalating conflicts with France, in spite of a vindictive and hateful disinformation campaign spearheaded by the French far-right, according to a communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs.
Algeria does not aspire to implement a strategy of provocation or humiliation; rather, it is the far-right along with its allies in the French government who are attempting to impose their agenda on the relations between Algeria and France through tactics of threats, intimidation, and confrontation,” the ministry remarked on Saturday.
“This group perceives this campaign as an avenue for expressing their resentments, frustrations, and historical grievances,” it added.
The current tensions arose following the contentious expulsion of an Algerian individual from France, which Algeria condemned as arbitrary and a violation of the 1974 Algerian-French Consular Convention, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
The individual, known as Doualemn, is a 59-year-old influencer who was apprehended in Montpellier, France, after sharing a controversial video on social media, allegedly inciting violence.
He was deported to Algeria on Thursday afternoon and returned to France later that same evening, with Algeria reportedly banning him from entry, according to France’s Ministry of the Interior.
Algeria asserted that Doualemn’s rights were disregarded during the hasty expulsion, which inhibited him from asserting those rights in French or European judicial systems.
On Friday, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau commented that Algeria seeks to embarrass France. He added, “By maintaining our composure, we must now evaluate all options available regarding Algeria.”
