France considers response after Algeria expels 12 embassy staff

Move by Algiers comes after arrest of Algerian consular official in Paris over alleged involvement in kidnap of influencer

France is considering its response after Algeria ordered the expulsion of 12 embassy staff over the arrest of an Algerian consulate official in Paris over alleged involvement in the kidnap of a TikTok influencer.

Algiers has given the French representatives 48 hours to leave the country in a move that has stretched already strained relations between the two countries to breaking point. The French foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, has warned that if the expulsions go ahead Paris would be forced to respond immediately.