Egyptian Nationals In Algeria Dropped From 30000 to 8000, Ambassador

The number of Egyptian nationals installed in Algeria has dropped since the famous play off football clash between the two nations’ squads in November 2009, the Ambassador of Egypt to Algeria, Azzedine Fahmi, said Tuesday.

At the sidelines of the vote of Egyptian nationals in Algeria in the first post-Mubarak parliamentary elections, Mr Fahmi told reporters that “there used to be between 280000 and 30000 Egyptians living in Algeria.” 

He added that “the number dropped to 6000 to 8000 only, following the crisis that was erupted in 2009,” in reference to the violence events that took place before and after the World Cup qualifying playoff between Algeria and Egypt.

The Egyptian diplomat said those events “forced several Egyptian companies to abandon business here in Algeria, following the heavy revenues drop in that period.”

“Yet, since July, we’ve noticed a gradual return of our nationals and companies to Algeria, but the number of the nationals is still not as high as it used to be in the past,” Mr Fahmi specified.

As for parliamentary elections, the Ambassador said the Embassy installed a polling station in its headquarters in upper Algiers, while nationals who are unable to come to the embassy to vote can send their voting via mail. 

He further indicated that there are about 660 to 670 Egyptian nationals who are expected to vote.