Europe 1 with AFP 5:38 p.m., October 12, 2021, modified at 5:41 p.m., October 12, 2021

Jean-Yves Le Drian reaffirmed this Tuesday before the National Assembly the "Algerian sovereignty" in a climate of tension between Paris and Algiers. "It is for Algerians and for them alone to decide their destinies and to define the contours of their choices and their political debate", he declared.

The head of French diplomacy reiterated Tuesday his "fundamental respect for Algerian sovereignty", in a climate of tension between Paris and Algiers, in particular on the issue of their common colonial history. "Recently the President of the Republic (Emmanuel Macron) reiterated his deep respect for the Algerian people," Jean-Yves Le Drian told the National Assembly. "This also means, of course, fundamental respect for Algerian sovereignty," he added. "It is up to Algerians and them alone to decide their fates and define the contours of their choices and their political debate."

On the day of October 2, Algiers decided to recall "immediately" its ambassador to Paris, Mohamed Antar-Daoud, and, as another retaliatory measure, prohibited French military planes from the anti-Jihadist operation from flying over its territory. Barkhane in the Sahel.

The return of the Algerian ambassador "is conditioned on respect for Algeria, total respect for the Algerian state," Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune told Algerian media on Sunday.

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Tense relations for a few months

Asked about this recall from the ambassador, Jean-Yves Le Drian said he regretted it. "This does not correspond to the importance we attach to the relationship between our two nations," he continued. "We are convinced of the common interest of our two countries to work together. This vision (...) is, I believe, shared by many Algerian officials at all levels". Bilateral relations are strained on multiple issues including, in addition to the memorial issue, the immigration issue.

These tensions are regularly maintained by multiple declarations on both sides.

Emmanuel Macron had thus triggered the anger of Algiers with comments reported by the newspaper

Le Monde in

early October.

He accused the Algerian "politico-military" system of maintaining a "memorial rent" on the conflict by serving his people an "official history" which "is not based on truths".