Algeria Slams Spain’s ’Betrayal’ on Western Sahara, Denies Prior Knowledge

Algeria denounces the statements of the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs who, on various occasions, has declared to the press that he maintains "fluid relations with his Algerian counterpart with whom he addresses all subjects", leading to believe that the Algerian authorities were informed of Spain’s change of position on the Sahara, says an Algerian diplomatic source to Echorouk.

Read: Spain’s Sahara Stance Strains Relations with Algeria, Key Gas Supplier

"It is, obviously, a lie wrapped in intentional ambiguity in an attempt to calm the legitimate concerns raised by the Spanish political class on the occasion of this inglorious about-face which is synonymous with blatant submission to Morocco’s ability to cause harm (migration, Ceuta and Melilla, Canary Islands...)", specifies the same source, stressing that the Algerian authorities were not, at any time and at any level, informed of this "vile bargaining" concluded with Morocco "on the back of the Sahrawi people".

Read: Algeria Condemns Spain’s Shift on Western Sahara as ’Historic Betrayal’

And to add: "The gains expected by Madrid with regard to respect for the territorial integrity of Spain and its sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla will never be guaranteed in the face of a calculating, cynical, versatile and vengeful Makhzen who will not hesitate to resort, again, to the use of illegal immigration as an instrument of pressure".

Algeria, "surprised" by this sudden turnaround of the "former administering power of the Sahara, has decided the recall of its ambassador to Madrid for consultations with immediate effect," the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Saturday.