Algeria summons Egypt’s ambassador over media campaign

Algeria summoned Egypt’s ambassador Friday to transmit its concerns about escalating media campaign following Wednesday’s World Cup play-off in Sudan.

• “Foreign ministry summoned Egypt’s ambassador to Algeria on November 20th, 2009,” the ministry said in a statement.
• “Foreign minister Mourad Medelci gave the ambassador the responsibility of transmitting Algeria’s concerns about the escalating media campaign to his country.”
• “Medecli expressed his hope this campaign ends. Algeria took all the measures to restore calm before, during and after Saturday and Wednesday’s matches. It set up a reinforced security system to ensure the safety of Egyptian nationals and their belongings in Algeria,” said the statement.
• Egyptian TV satellite channels’ fierce campaign against Algeria’s people escalated after Egypt’s defeat in Wednesday’s World Cup play-off in Sudan.
• Hundreds of Egyptian angry fans have demonstrated next to the Algerian embassy since Thursday. They burnt Algeria’s national flag, chanted anti-Algerian slogans, broke cars and shop windows.