Algeria condemns attack on consulate

Algeria condemned the "blatant" act of violation against the premises of its General Consulate of Casablanca, perpetrated Friday by an individual, belonging to a group of demonstrators chanting slogans hostile to Algeria and its senior officials, said the Spokesman of Foreign Ministry Amar Belani. "The so-called individual who has the time and the opportunity to snatch the national flag has not been arrested only after his action has been done, by policemen who do not seem to have the protection of Algerian consular headquarters and staff as compelling mission," added Belani. He noted with "dismay that the national flag was desecrated in this sacred day of November 1 that symbolizes the communion of the Maghreb peoples in the epic of Algerian liberation," adding that "Algeria expects that this serious incident will not happen again." "This grave act would not have been possible without the outburst of hatred and smear that party of the political class and the Moroccan press endeavored to cultivate among the Moroccan population against Algeria," the ministry spokesman pointed out. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the obligation on the host country to protect the Algerian diplomatic and consular personal and premises under international law," said Belani. Source: MENA