Overview

• Algeria has declared 12 French embassy agents persona non grata, giving them 48 hours to leave the country in response to recent judicial actions in France.
• The expulsions are tied to the arrest and prosecution of three Algerian nationals in France, including a consular agent, for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of opposition figure Amir DZ.
• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on Algeria to reverse its decision, warning of immediate retaliatory actions if the expulsions proceed.
• This diplomatic standoff comes shortly after efforts to restore Franco-Algerian relations following months of strained ties.
• The situation represents an unprecedented escalation, with Algeria’s move being the first such expulsion of French diplomats since 1962.