France denies interference in Algerian affairs

French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne Gazeau-Secret said on Tuesday that France was acting within the framework of the EU regarding the situation in Algeria and that it was not interfering in Algeria's internal affairs.

"The worries of the Fifteen (EU member states) regarding the situation in Algeria are the same: they spring from profound emotion at the atrocious sufferings of the Algerian population, from an unreserved condemnation of terrorist crimes and from a wish to show solidarity with the Algerian population .

And without any interference in Algeria's internal affairs," she said, in remarks broadcast by French La Chaine Info TV.

"In other words, our action, within the European framework, is inspired by the hope that it will effectively bring some benefit to the Algerian population," she said.

Algerian Religious Affairs Minister Abdellah Ghlamallah said on Tuesday that France did not have the right to urge Algeria to protect its citizens, but that it should stop harbouring people who planned and organized crimes against the Algerian people.

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