Lhe media release of the head of Algerian diplomacy comes to deny reports of Saudi mediation to iron out differences between Morocco and Algeria. Reported by the official APS news agency on Saturday May 20, Lamtane Lamamra’s statement comes after the same day’s visit by his Saudi Foreign Affairs counterpart, Prince Faisal Ben Farhan Bin Abdallah Al Saud, and reports of an attempt at mediation to reconcile the parties.
“The reasons that led to the decision to sever relations with Morocco have not changed and Algeria’s position on this issue will not change either”a diplomatic source told Algerian media TSA, adding that“There was no question of Algerian-Moroccan relations in these talks”.
Lamamra for his part refused to mention a possible rapprochement with the kingdom with which he disputes hegemony in the Maghreb and which disagrees on the Sahara conflict as well as on Algerian support for the Polisario Front.
Guerguerat, truckers’ affair, Figuig oasis, closure of the Maghreb Europe Gas Pipeline, Morocco and Algeria have experienced a new episode of tense relations in recent months. Since August 24, 2021, Algeria had officially announced the unilateral severance of its diplomatic relations with Morocco after a series of events around the Sahara issue.
During his visit on Thursday, Ben Farhan described relations between Algeria and Saudi Arabia as “essential milestone” of joint Arab action.
“Saudi Arabia supports Algeria in its ambition to join the United Nations Security Council. We are convinced that he will play an important role in promoting peace and security in the world.”said the head of Saudi diplomacy after an audience with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
As a reminder, Algeria submitted its candidacy for the post of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2024-2025 in February last year.