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Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra rejected the statements of African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, who insisted on granting “Israel” observer status to the pan-African organization.

In an interview for Al-Fajr, Lamamra stated that Mahamat’s statement is an attempt to defend his move without recognizing the repercussions, pointing out that such a stance may lead to the African Union's division.

Moreover, Lamamra added that Mahamat’s rhetoric "will not affect the mission of the seven diplomatic representatives, who will continue to work and coordinate their positions and initiatives in order to reach the desired and achievable goal."

Last Tuesday, seven Arab countries informed the African Union (AU) of their opposition to granting “Israel” observer status in the organization.

Simultaneously, the embassies of Algeria, Egypt, Comoros, Tunisia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and Libya in Ethiopia delivered a verbal note to Faki whose headquarters is in the Ethiopian capital in Addis Ababa.

Furthermore, the note rejected granting “Israel” an observer status in the organization, which contradicts the AU's support for the Palestinian cause and its principles.

“This decision is totally opposing to the values, principles, and objectives enshrined in the Constitution of the African Union”, stressed the note.

On its account, the foreign ministry of Algeria confirmed earlier that the unjust and unwarranted move was taken unilaterally without consultations with AU members. 

“Taken without the benefit of broad prior consultations with all member states, this decision has neither the vocation nor the capacity to legitimize the practices and behaviors of the said new observer which are totally incompatible with the values, principles, and objectives enshrined in the ‘Constitutive Act of the African Union,” said the Algerian Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Algeria also vowed that the organization will continue to support the Palestinian cause.

On July 22, “Israel’s” ambassador to Addis Ababa, Aleleign Admasu, submitted “Israel’s” charter as an observer member to the 55-member continental organization.

The move was rejected by many African Union countries, including Algeria which described it as an “event”, vowing that the organization will continue to support the Palestinian cause.