Diplomatic crisis: Algiers welcomes declarations “respectful” of Paris – archyde

The head of Algerian diplomacy Ramtane Lamamra welcomed, Wednesday, November 10, statements by France “Showing respect” towards his country in the midst of a diplomatic crisis, and announced that Algiers would participate in a conference on Libya in Paris on Friday. According to the Elysee Palace on Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron “Regrets the controversies and misunderstandings” with Algeria and assures to have “The greatest respect for the Algerian nation” and ” his history “.

Mr. Macron had triggered the anger of Algiers after remarks, reported on October 2 by the daily The world, accusing the system “Politico-military” Algerian to maintain a “Memorial rent” by serving his people a “Official story” who “Not based on truths”. According to the daily, he questioned the existence of an Algerian nation before French colonization.

“Contrary to the statements at the origin of the crisis, those [faites mardi par l’Elysée] are reasonable and include ideas showing respect for Algeria, its history, its past, its present and also for Algerian sovereignty ”Mr. Lamamra told reporters.

“The greatest respect”

He further announced that “Algeria will take part in the conference” international on Libya, “But not at the level of the President of the Republic”, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

“The conditions are not met for him to participate personally in this conference, despite his attachment to the active role of Algeria alongside the Libyan brothers as well as to the expected peaceful and democratic settlement of the Libyan question”, added the minister after a meeting in Algiers of heads of Algerian diplomatic and consular missions.

On October 3, Algeria recalled its ambassador to France in protest at the statements reported by The world and prohibits the overflight of its territory to French military planes serving the Sahel, where the troops of the anti-jihadist operation “Barkhane” are deployed.

“President Macron has the greatest respect for the Algerian nation, for its history and for the sovereignty of Algeria”, said the Elysee on Tuesday. And he wants the bilateral relationship to develop “For the benefit of the Algerian and French populations, but also to respond to major regional challenges, starting with Libya”.

“Old conflict”

According to the Elysee, Mr. Tebboune was invited to the conference aimed at helping Libya emerge from the crisis by preparing for the presidential election scheduled for December 24.

According to Algerian media, it is Mr. Lamamra who will represent Algeria at this conference. This would be the first trip to Paris for an Algerian official of this rank since the ambassador’s recall to Paris.

Mr. Tebboune warned on Saturday that he would not do ” the first step “ to try to calm tensions with his French counterpart who, with his words, “Reopened an old conflict in a totally unnecessary way”.

“Why did he say that?” I think it was for strategic electoral reasons ”, added Mr. Tebboune in an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel.