Algeria, France ‘relaunch’ ties after rift

PARIS - The Algerian ambassador to France has returned to his post, the embassy said Tuesday, signalling an end to a spat sparked by the broadcast of French television documentaries on protests in Algeria.

The embassy, confirming Algerian media reports, said that Salah Lebdioui had resumed his duties on Monday.

His return came after the two countries' presidents pledged in a telephone call on June 2 to "relaunch" relations.

The Elysee Palace said President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune "affirmed their willingness to work together for the stability and security of the region".

Algeria said both sides agreed on "full respect for the distinctiveness and sovereignty of each of the two countries".

The phone talk appeared to put an end to a diplomatic crisis triggered by the broadcast on French television of documentaries on the "Hirak" anti-government protest movement in Algeria.

Algiers recalled its ambassador for consultations on May 27, denouncing one of the films for "attacks on the Algerian people and its institutions", including the army.

France and five Sahel nations, including Algeria, pledged earlier this year to bolster efforts against jihadists waging an increasingly deadly insurgency across the vast band of territory south of the Sahara.