France plays down controversy caused by Hollande’s joke on Algeria

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22-12-2013 | 12:57
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France plays down controversy caused by Hollande’s joke on Algeria
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France plays down controversy caused by Hollande’s joke on Algeria

France played down on Sunday a diplomatic row with Algeria over a joke made by President Francois Hollande that suggested that the North African country was unsafe.

The joke prompted a response from Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, who called it "regrettable" and said it ended the year on a "bad note".

A source close to Hollande said Sunday the president had intended no offence and dismissed suggestions of diplomatic tensions.

"It was a mild joke that did not target anyone in any country and had no particular meaning regarding Algeria," the source said.

During a speech last week to the CRIF Jewish representative group, Hollande joked that Interior Minister Manuel Valls had just returned "safe and sound" from a trip to Algeria.

"That's already a lot," Hollande added. The statement sparked widespread outrage and front-page headlines in the Algerian press.  
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