Paris has called on the African country to halt expulsions, warning of consequences for diplomatic ties

Algeria has instructed 12 French embassy officials to depart the country within 48 hours, French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot has said, condemning the move.

The expulsion of the diplomats adds to a series of diplomatic strains between France and Algeria. 

"I am asking Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures," he stated on Monday, according to France24, adding that "if the decision to send back our officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately."

On Saturday, Algeria's foreign ministry summoned French Ambassador Stephane Romatet to protest the arrest of an Algerian consular official "without notification through the diplomatic channels" and called for his immediate release, according to Algerian news agency.

French prosecutors had indicted three Algerians, including a consular official, the day before, on suspicion of involvement in the 2024 abduction of an opponent of the Algerian government, Amir Boukhors, who was released the next day, according to his lawyer, France24 reports.

The strain of relations happened despite a recent phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and a visit by Barrot to Algeria this month. Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue, resume security cooperation, and strengthen trade and investment ties in a "spirit of friendship."

Macron also called on Tebboune to show "mercy and humanity" toward jailed French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was sentenced to five years for "attacking territorial integrity." 

Commenting on the call, Andrey Maslov, the head of the Center for African Studies at Moscow's Higher School of Economics, told RT that Algeria remains wary of political rapprochement with France, which is "hardly seen as a realistic scenario."

In March, the wife of Algeria's ambassador to Mali was denied entry to France at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, allegedly over missing documents, Algeria's press service (APS) reported, calling the incident a "provocation" by Paris.  

READ MORE: Algeria's leader holds talks with Macron

Last July, France supported a controversial Moroccan autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Algiers, which supports the sparsely populated region's independence, recalled its ambassador from Paris to protest the move. Tebboune also canceled a long-delayed official visit to France due to the feud, while accusing Paris of colonial-era genocide.