Algeria accepts Syrians trapped on Morocco border

Algeria has agreed to allow 41 Syrian refugees stranded on its frontier with Morocco to stay in the country as a humanitarian gesture, the foreign ministry said.

Earlier this week the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR urged Morocco and Algeria to allow the group safe passage after they had been trapped for weeks in a dispute between the North African neighbours.

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In a statement on APS state news agency, Algeria’s foreign ministry said the refugees, including children and a pregnant woman, would be allowed to stay after being blocked in the border town of Figuig.

Morocco and Algeria blamed each other for the situation.

Morocco said the Syrians attempted to enter Morocco through Figuig between 17-19 April. It accused Algeria of forcing them to cross into Morocco. Algeria rejected the accusation, saying Moroccan officials had tried to send the group into Algeria.