Algeria Calls in French Diplomat Over Controversial France 2 Documentary

Algeria has summoned France’s chargé d’affaires in Algiers in response to the airing of a documentary on French public television channel France 2, which Algerian authorities have denounced as misleading and deliberately provocative.

In an official statement, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision reflects the gravity with which it views the broadcast and its potential impact on bilateral relations.

The programme in question was an episode of the investigative show “Complément d’enquête,” aired on Thursday, examining the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France.

Algiers accused the broadcaster of targeting the Algerian state, its institutions, and national symbols, describing the content as an act of hostility. The statement argued that such a programme could not have been aired without the knowledge or approval – explicit or implicit – of French authorities.

The Algerian government also criticized the French embassy in Algiers, as well as the ambassador, alleging their involvement in what it termed a coordinated and unacceptable media campaign.

Placing the incident within a wider diplomatic context, the ministry said it viewed the broadcast as part of a broader pattern of actions it described as increasingly hostile toward Algeria. According to the statement, these actions are being driven by official circles in France and are aimed at keeping relations between the two countries in a constant state of tension.

Algeria strongly condemned the content of the documentary and what it sees as the role of French diplomacy in the matter, while reserving the right to take all appropriate measures. The authorities did not specify what steps might follow or when they could be taken.