Algiers: Algeria announced on Monday the formal enforcement of its decision to terminate a bilateral agreement with France that permitted visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports. The Foreign Ministry confirmed the measure took effect following its publication in the Official Gazette and that the French Embassy in Algiers had been informed of the decision in early August.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Algerian government communicated to its French counterpart that nationals possessing diplomatic passports would now need to obtain visas. This announcement follows French President Emmanuel Macron's call for a stricter stance towards Algeria, leading to the suspension of the 2013 extension of a 2007 agreement that initially covered only diplomatic passports.

Algeria responded by asserting that it had never sought such an arrangement, accusing France of repeatedly pushing for it. The ministry stated that France's actions provided Algeria with the opportunity to clearly and unambiguously revoke the agreement. Diplomatic relations between Algeria and France have been tense for months, particularly after both countries downgraded their diplomatic representation to the charg© d'affaires level in July. This diplomatic strain followed France's support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, opposed by Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front's call for a referendum on self-determination.