France to expel Algerians who have diplomatic passports but no visa

The continuing diplomatic row between France and its former colony Algeria has escalated further.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told the broadcaster BFMTV on Wednesday that Algerian representatives who hold diplomatic passports but who do not have visas will be expelled.

“The Algerians want to expel our representatives, we are expelling theirs,” said Barrot.

Algeria had previously demanded the departure of several French embassy staff. The Algerian state news agency APS reported that French diplomats and consular employees who had obtained their posts under “irregular conditions” should leave the country immediately.

Both countries also expelled a number of diplomats last month.

Relations between the North African country and the former colonial power have been tense recently. France has accused Algeria of refusing to take back citizens that France wants to deport.

For Algeria, a bone of contention is France’s recognition of Morocco’s claim to the internationally disputed territory of Western Sahara after Morocco annexed several areas of the territory.

Algeria supports the Polisario Front movement in the former Spanish colony, which is seeking an independent state in Western Sahara.