Macron 'Regrets' Row With Algeria: French Presidency
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French President Emmanuel Macron "regrets" the diplomatic row sparked by his criticism of Algeria’s leadership, his office says.
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Elysee Palace: Macron is firmly committed to developing relations with Algeria
A source in the French presidency at the Elysee Palace expressed his "regret" at the controversy that followed President Emmanuel Macron's statements on Algeria, inviting Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to the Paris Peace Conference on Libya to be held on November 12.
"The President of the Republic regrets the controversies and misunderstandings caused by the reported remarks," a senior presidential official, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters.
The aide added that Macron "has the greatest respect for the Algerian nation and its history and for Algeria's sovereignty."
He added that Macron wants to develop bilateral relations in what serves the best interests of the Algerian and French peoples and to address major regional challenges, starting with Libya."
This comes in light of the tension between the two countries linked to the recent statements of the French President.
Relations deteriorated n October after Macron accused Algeria's "political-military system" of rewriting the history of the independence war to foment "hatred towards France."
In the remarks made during a meeting with the Algerian fighters, the Harkis, who fought for France during the Algerian war, which were reported by Le Monde daily, Macron also questioned whether Algeria had really existed as a nation before the French colonization in the 1800s.
In the meeting, he also asked the Harkis for forgiveness on behalf of his country and announced the adoption of a bill 'of recognition and reparation' soon.
Macron also admitted, "in the name of France," that the French army had "tortured and assassinated" in 1957 the Algerian fighter Ali Boumendjel who did not commit suicide, as was promoted at the time to cover up the crime.
On his part, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stressed that he will not make the first step in dialogue, otherwise, he will lose the support of Algerians, because, according to him, this is a "national problem".
In an interview for German magazine Der Spiegel, the Algerian President said his French counterpart had 'humiliated' the Algerians and that the words of the French President were part of an "old colonial hatred", indicating that the statements were merely for "electoral reasons".
