Algerian minister denies need for mediation with Morocco

Algeria’s Minister Delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel has denied the need for international mediation between his country and Morocco.

In response to a question about some countries’ desire to play a mediating role between Algeria and Morocco on the issue of Western Sahara, Messahel said: “there is no crisis or need for mediation between the two countries,” pointing out that the Western Sahara issue is addressed within the United Nations framework.

Algerian-Moroccan relations have long been strained over the Western Sahara issue, the land border between the two countries has been closed since 1994 after Morocco demanded Algerian nationals to obtain visas in order to enter its territories.