Politicians: Egypt foreign minister will not obtain Algeria’s support to coup

Diplomats and researchers believe that Algerian authorities may not recognize the regime which toppled the elected president Mohamed Morsi on the Egyptian foreign minister Nabil Fahmi’s visit to Algeria.

According to Algeria’s former ambassador to Spain Abdelaziz Rehabi, the Egyptian foreign minister may not obtain the Algerian authorities’ support to the current regime in Egypt.

“I believe that Nabil Fahmi came to Algeria to explain what is happening in Egypt and to ask the Algerian authorities to understand procedures following the coup against former President Mohamed Morsi. His visit will be an opportunity for Algeria to directly listen to the Egyptian regime’s explanations,” he told Echorouk on the phone.

He also said Fahmi’s visit embarrassed the Algeria authorities as the African Union rejects regimes based on unconstitutional ways.

“Current foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra, the former minister Ahmed Attaf and I attended the African Union’s Summit in 1999. Because of that, I think that Lamamra will be embarrassed,” he added.

Rehabi raised fears that Algerian people would understand that Algeria supports the new Egyptian regime following Fahmi’s visit.

Salim Kelala, a professor at the Institute of Political Sciences and International Relations at the University of Algiers believes that Lamamra should clearly explain Algeria’s position toward the visit.

“The visit will have negative consequences as the Algerian public opinion rejects the military coup in Egypt. The Algerian foreign affairs ministry should inform Egypt about this preoccupation,” he said.

“The Algerian authorities should make clear that Nabil Fahmi will be received as part of strong relations with Egyptian people and not in support to the regime. That must be clearly announced in the press conference due to be held by the Algerian and Egyptian foreign ministers,” he told Echorouk on the phone.