France Hampers Rapprochement Between Algeria and NTC

France is playing negative role when it comes to relations between the peoples of Algeria and Libya, as French officials are hampering with their statements rapprochement between the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) and Algeria government.

In this regard, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe expressed regret Algeria country had yet to recognise the NTC.

“Algeria has had an ambiguous attitude throughout this affair, that’s the least you can say,” Allain Juppe told French RTL radio. 

Mr Juppe added “I had spoken to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and he assured me he had never sent anything other than humanitarian aid.” 

Medelci Says No Ambiguity in Algeria Attitude Towards Libya Conflict

Yet, Algeria Foreign Minister, Mourad Medelci said Thursday said there is no ambiguity in the position of Algeria towards the conflict in Libya, as it neutrality does not mean supporting the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. 

In interview with the French Europe 1 radio channel, hours only before the kick off of the “Friends of Libya” conference in Paris, Mr Medelci indicated that “There’s no ambiguity (in the position of Algeria). Algeria has said its word. It has said it, democratically, within the Arab League. When the UN Resolution 1973 was adopted, Algeria has implemented it, directly.

According to the Minister, Algeria has marked its “distinction” at the very beginning of the conflict, “simply because it wished that the crisis to be solved peacefully, without resorting to foreign force.”

 “If you think, today, that Algeria’s position is ambiguous, that’s fine, because a couple of weeks ago, people considered Algeria biasing to Gaddafi, so I think there’s an improvement,” the head of Algeria diplomacy explained, adding that he wishes that peace to be restored, and the sparks of war to be put out, while “the truth about the attitude of Algeria would be revealed.”

The North African official further denied complicity with Gaddafi, saying “Algeria has always stuck to neutrality towards the revolution in Tunisia and Egypt, as we hadn’t been treated so. Concerning the case of Libya, it’s a bit different, because we’ve noticed foreign interventions.”

He added that the big foreign intervention in Libya (NATO) near the border with Algeria “evokes painful memories and you can understand that Algerians haven’t received that message like did other countries who initiated such an intervention.”

As whether Algeria is to offer asylum to Gaddafi, Mr Medelci said “The hypothesis that Mr Gaddafi could come knocking on our door was never considered.”

He further denied reports about the toppled Libyan leader presence in Algeria, while admitting that part of Gaddafi’s family was given shelter in the neighboring country for “humanitarian reasons.”

Yet, Mr Medelci said Algeria is ready to recognize Libya’s National Transitional Council if it forms a broad-based administration.

He mentioned that Libya’s National Transitional Council had vowed to set-up a “government representative of all regions” and added: “When it has done so, we’ll recognize it.”