Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know
A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country.
PARIS — Tensions between Paris and Algiers reached a high point Monday after Algeria ordered 12 French diplomats to leave the country in a move French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called “fundamentally unjustified.”
What happened: According to the French Foreign Ministry, the expulsion order followed the detention in Paris last Friday of three Algerian nationals suspected of involvement in a high-profile abduction last year. The expulsion of the French diplomats undermines recent efforts by both countries to mend ties after two years of particularly strained relations.
“I ask the Algerian authorities to reverse these measures,” Barrot said in response. “If the decision to expel our staff stands, we will have no choice but to respond immediately.” The diplomats were ordered to leave within 48 hours.
The escalation comes almost two weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, spoke by phone on March 31 in a bid to revive bilateral dialogue. On April 6, Barrot visited Algiers to announce what he called a “new phase” in relations. After meeting Tebboune, Barrot said both sides sought to "rebuild a partnership of equals."
