Algeria Backs Up Saudi Arabia In Its Crisis With Canada

Algeria expressed concern about the adverse repercussions of the crisis in relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada, calling for respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Algiers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Algeria “is following with concern the repercussions of the crisis in relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada.”

“Algeria calls for the need for States to invoke in their external relations the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, especially as they relate to respect for the sovereignty of States and non-interference in their internal affairs,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

In this context, the Ministry also noted “the deep brotherly relations linking Algeria and Saudi Arabia.”

Relations between the two countries have been strained since Monday, when Riyadh expelled the Canadian Ambassador, withdrew its Ambassador posted in Toronto and froze all new business dealings and investments with Canada.

Riyadh also said it would transfer thousands of Saudi students studying in Canada to study in other countries, while Saudi Arabian Airlines said it would suspend all flights to Toronto.

Saudi Arabia had previously announced the suspension of all health care programs in Canada and the transfer elsewhere of all its patients treated in Canadian hospitals and clinics.

Canada’s public criticism of Riyadh’s crackdown on Saudi human rights activists has angered the Riyadh authorities.

But Canadian Premier Trudeau did not budge from Wednesday’s position and refused to apologize.

“Canada will always speak in a secret and public voice about human rights issues,” Mr Trudeau underlined.

“We do not want our relations with Saudi Arabia to be bad,” he said, adding that Ottawa was aware that Riyadh had “made progress on human rights.”

PM Trudeau also stated that his country’s foreign minister, Christia Freeland, held “lengthy talks” Tuesday with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute.