Tensions have flared between France and Algeria. AFP
Tensions have flared between France and Algeria. AFP
Tensions have flared between France and Algeria. AFP
Tensions have flared between France and Algeria. AFP

Algeria expels 12 French officials as ties deteriorate


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France's Foreign Minister on Tuesday criticised Algeria's decision to expel 12 French officials in an escalating dispute that has seen French authorities arrest an Algerian consular official over an alleged abduction case.

French minister Jean-Noel Barrot called Algeria's move "regrettable" and warned of consequences. "If Algeria chooses escalation, we will respond with the greatest firmness," he said.

For decades, ties between France and Algeria have experienced diplomatic upheavals and the latest row comes at a delicate time in their relations.

On Friday, French prosecutors indicted three Algerians, including a consular official, on suspicion of involvement in the 2024 abduction of an opponent of the Algerian government, Amir Boukhors.

Mr Boukhors, known as "Amir DZ", has more than a million followers on social media platform TikTok.

The three men, who are also being prosecuted for "terrorist" conspiracy, have been placed in pre-trial detention.

Algeria on Monday defended its "sovereign" decision to expel the 12 French officials and blamed French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for the resurgence of tension between the two countries. It called the arrest of its consular official in France "ostentatious".

Algeria has blamed French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for the resurgence of tension. AFP
Algeria has blamed French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau for the resurgence of tension. AFP

Mr Retailleau "bears full responsibility for the turn taken by relations between Algeria and France at a time when they had just begun a phase of easing", the Algerian Foreign Ministry said.

It warned that "any further offensive action by the French Interior Minister will receive, on the basis of reciprocity, a firm and adequate response".

The 12 French officials were given 48 hours to leave Algeria, according to the French Foreign Ministry.

The two countries have been attempting to mend fences after months of frayed relations that brought them to the brink of a diplomatic breakdown.

Earlier this month, Mr Barrot visited Algeria and met Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Mr Barrot said both countries wanted to "rebuild a partnership of equals".

Relations came under strain last year when France recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara region, where Algeria has long backed the pro-independence Polisario Front.

Ties soured further when Algeria arrested the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November on national security charges, after he told a French far-right media outlet that Morocco's territory was truncated in favour of Algeria during French colonial rule.

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

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Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia

When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start

Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1

Tickets: Admission is free

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle

THE BIO:

Sabri Razouk, 74

Athlete and fitness trainer 

Married, father of six

Favourite exercise: Bench press

Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn

Power drink: A glass of yoghurt

Role model: Any good man

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Afghanistan fixtures
  • v Australia, today
  • v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
  • v New Zealand, Saturday,
  • v South Africa, June 15
  • v England, June 18
  • v India, June 22
  • v Bangladesh, June 24
  • v Pakistan, June 29
  • v West Indies, July 4
THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Overview

What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.

When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.

Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.

Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.

Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.

UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Brief scores

Day 1

Toss England, chose to bat

England, 1st innings 357-5 (87 overs): Root 184 not out, Moeen 61 not out, Stokes 56; Philander 3-46

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Updated: April 15, 2025, 11:33 AM`