Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that it had summoned the chargé d’affaires of the French Embassy in Algiers for a second time, amid ongoing disputes regarding the handling of diplomatic mail by French authorities.

In a statement, the ministry accused France of “persistent obstruction” preventing the Algerian Embassy in Paris from delivering and receiving diplomatic pouches, calling it a “clear violation of France’s international obligations.”

In response, Algeria has revoked special privilege cards issued to French diplomats stationed in the country, invoking the principle of reciprocity.

Earlier, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed its surprise at measures taken by French authorities that allegedly barred Algerian embassy staff from accessing restricted areas in Paris airports to manage.