France on Monday, May 12, denounced as “incomprehensible” and “brutal” Algeria’s decision to expel several French officials on temporary assignment in Algiers. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot vowed a response that would be “immediate, firm, and proportionate.”
According to French authorities, several temporary staff members at the embassy were forced to leave Algerian territory. While Paris has not disclosed the exact number, Algiers claims that around fifteen diplomats were expelled.
On May 11, the French chargé d’affaires in Algiers was summoned by Algerian officials and informed of the expulsion. Algeria alleges that the officials had been deployed irregularly, without prior notification or accreditation—contrary to standard diplomatic protocol.
In a dispatch released Sunday evening, Algeria’s official news agency APS stated that “no fewer than fifteen agents” were carrying out diplomatic or consular duties without the required authorization. France, however, disputes that version. The Foreign Ministry (Quai d’Orsay) insists that all personnel held diplomatic passports and were exempt from accreditation for missions lasting less than 90 days.
“The departure of agents on temporary assignment is unjustified and indefensible,” said Jean-Noël Barrot. “This decision serves the interests of neither Algeria nor France,” he added, affirming that Paris would respond firmly to what it sees as a new escalation in tensions.