°®Âþµº

France's Macron slammed by Arab Parliament for Algeria criticism

The French president said earlier this month that Algeria's leaders 'have a grudge against France', to significant backlash.
2 min read
21 October, 2021
Macron has come under fire for his comments on Algeria [Getty]

The on Wednesday slammed France PresidentÌý for recent criticism of Algeria.

The pan-Arab body said Macron's recent comments alleging Algeria "[has] a grudge against France" were "irresponsible and unacceptable".

Macron has also said:Ìý"Was there an Algerian nation before French colonisation? That is the question."

The Arab Parliament is the legislative body of theÌý, a collective of working together on the economy, education, and other fields.

MENA
Live Story

Paris controlled AlgeriaÌýfor well over a century, from 1830 to 1962, until theÌýAlgerian War of Independence.

AlgiersÌýrecalled its France envoy after Macron's comments, branding them "offensive" and "an unacceptable insult" against those who lost their lives overÌýthe course of French rule.

Macron's comments are "an attack on Algeria's long-standing history which is an honourable part of the Arab world's history, especially in what this holds of a civilisational heritage rich in resistance, sacrifice and the struggle for freedom."

The pan-Arab legislature said that it backs "Algeria, leaders and people, against every abuse affecting its identity, historical heritage and its achievements written with the blood of millions of martyrs".

The October flare-up between France and Algeria comes after with neighbouring Morocco in August, citing , and in September forbade Rabat from using its airspace going forward.

France has also limited the number of visas available to citizens of the North African countries.

Ìý