The expropriation of alleged Algerian property in Morocco is "legal"

This decision does not violate any international convention, Esslimi affirmed to the newspaper Al3omk, stressing that Article 55 of the Vienna Convention prohibits the use of consular premises for other purposes, but nevertheless allows the establishment of offices or agencies in said premises provided that they are separate from the consular mission.

This is the case of the properties targeted by the Moroccan decision of expropriation which do not belong to the Algerian diplomatic or consular mission, but rather to natural persons, notes the professor of political and international studies at the University Mohammed V of Rabat, assuring that in this case, the Vienna Convention is not applicable.

"The properties mentioned in the confiscation decision could belong to General Larbi Belkheir, who was previously the Algerian ambassador to Morocco," Esslimi informs, arguing that these are therefore "property in the name of individuals" and that "the Algerian state does not own any property in Morocco".

Several Moroccan media had announced the decision of Morocco to "confiscate several properties and lands belonging to the Algerian state" with a view to "the expansion of service buildings under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rabat". The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already condemned this decision, indicating that it "will respond to these provocations by all means it deems appropriate".