Algeria has cut diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates after tensions between the two countries boiled over.
Algiers on Thursday accused Abu Dhabi of a series of “provocative and hostile” actions, adding that it had exhausted attempts to preserve relations.
In an apparent response, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said diplomatic relations should be based on “rationality” rather than “riddles”.
The rupture in relations comes amid differences between the two states over Israel, Western Sahara and alleged UAE influence in North Africa and the Sahel.
Moreover, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has repeatedly accused the UAE of interfering in Algerian and regional affairs.
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“Algeria has decided to cut diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, following the exhaustion of all means to preserve bilateral relations,” state television announced.
Algeria’s Foreign Ministry accused the UAE of “provocative and hostile acts”, without providing details.
“Algeria spared no effort to draw the Emirati side’s attention to, and to warn it against, the dire consequences that could result from its regrettable and unjustified conduct,” the ministry said.
UAE Ambassador Yousef Saif Khamis Subaa Al-Ali was summoned, informed of the decision to cut diplomatic ties and given 48 hours to comply. Algeria also announced that it had decided to close its airspace to all UAE-registered aircraft starting Friday, with the exception of UAE commercial flights to and from Algiers, which are exempt until the end of the year.
Algeria had already signalled its frustration with the UAE in February when it began the process of cancelling a 2013 air services agreement between the two countries.
source: commonspace.eu with Al Jazeera (Doha) and agencies
