France's Macron slammed by Arab Parliament for Algeria criticism

The Arab Parliament on Wednesday slammed France President Emmanuel Macron for recent criticism of Algeria.

The pan-Arab body said Macron's recent comments alleging Algeria "[has] a grudge against France" were "irresponsible and unacceptable".

Macron has also said: "Was there an Algerian nation before French colonisation? That is the question."

The Arab Parliament is the legislative body of the Arab League, a collective of Arab states working together on the economy, education, and other fields.

Paris controlled Algeria for well over a century, from 1830 to 1962, until the Algerian War of Independence.

Algiers recalled its France envoy after Macron's comments, branding them "offensive" and "an unacceptable insult" against those who lost their lives over the course of French rule.

Macron's comments are "an attack on Algeria's long-standing history which is an honourable part of the Arab world's history, especially in what this holds of a civilisational heritage rich in resistance, sacrifice and the struggle for freedom."

Algeria has said that 5.6 million Algerians were killed during the French occupation of Algeria between 1830 and 1962.

It comes as diplomatic dispute with France intensifies 👇https://t.co/sUB3FI2h7D

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) October 4, 2021

The pan-Arab legislature said that it backs "Algeria, leaders and people, against every abuse affecting its identity, historical heritage and its achievements written with the blood of millions of martyrs".

The October flare-up between France and Algeria comes after Algiers ended its relations with neighbouring Morocco in August, citing "provocations and hostile practices", and in September forbade Rabat from using its airspace going forward.

France has also limited the number of visas available to citizens of the North African countries.