Algeria’s President Criticizes Spanish PM Over Western Sahara Stance

"We have cordial relations with Spain and there has been a rapprochement, as with Italy. But the Prime Minister has called everything into question," Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune told the Algerian press on Saturday, specifying that it is necessary to "distinguish between the Spanish government and the Spanish state with which we have very strong ties".

To read: Algeria Considers Gas Price Hike for Spain Amid Diplomatic Tensions and Energy Crisis

The Algerian president demands that Sanchez return to his position on the Sahara so that relations between Algeria and Spain can be restored, assuring however that Algeria will continue to respect its gas commitments to Spain, "whatever the circumstances", even though it has already announced that it will review the gas selling price.

To read: Spain-Algeria Relations Strained as Sanchez Backs Morocco’s Western Sahara Plan

"We will not interfere in the internal affairs of Spain, but Algeria, as an observer country in the Western Sahara conflict, as well as the United Nations, consider that Spain is the administering power of the territory until a solution is found to this conflict," he explains, adding that Algeria demands "respect for international law to normalize its relations with Spain".