Algerian official says France's expulsion of 12 diplomats 'regrettable'

ALGIERS - The Elysee's decision to recall its ambassador to Algeria and expel 12 Algerian diplomatic staff stationed in France is "regrettable", an Algerian official said Wednesday, holding a French minister responsible for the recent deterioration in bilateral ties.

Sofiane Chaib, secretary of state to the Algerian Foreign Minister, in charge of National Community Abroad, told Algeria's state-run radio in an interview that Algeria has noted the Elysee's decision, but lacks details about the individuals affected by it.

He held French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau responsible for the derailed bilateral ties, who has been adopting a hardline stance towards Algeria.

On Friday, France indicted three Algerians, including a consular official, over suspected involvement in the 2024 abduction of an Algerian government opponent based in Paris named Amir Boukhras, who is known on social media as "AmirDZ".

On Saturday, Algeria summoned French Ambassador Stephane Romatet to protest against the arrest of the consular official. On Monday, it further ordered 12 French diplomats to leave Algeria within 48 hours, declaring them "personae non gratae" and describing the arrest as a "fabricated pretext" and a blatant violation of diplomatic immunity.

On Tuesday, the Elysee said in a press release that in a reciprocal move, France would "proceed with the symmetrical expulsion of 12 agents serving in the Algerian consular and diplomatic network in France" and recall its ambassador to Algeria Stephane Romatet "for consultations".

In Wednesday's interview, Chaib defended Algeria's expulsion of 12 French diplomats as "justified".

The confrontation marks the most serious diplomatic rupture between the two countries in years, straining a relationship still shaped by colonial-era grievances and modern disputes, including immigration and France's backing of Morocco in disputes over Western Sahara.