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Western embassies withdraw staff as Algerian violence worsens

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, June 18, 2001

CAIRO Ñ Western countries are beginning to withdraw their diplomatic personel from Algeria amid rising violence.

The first country to recall diplomats has been France. France has summoned its ambassador from Algiers.

France has denied that its recall of the ambassador was in response to rising violence in the Algerian capital. But Western diplomatic sources in Algiers said several European countries are considering reducing the staff of their embassies.

In Washington, the United States voiced deep concern over the Berber riots in Algiers. The U.S. Embassy in Algeria was not a target of attack in the massive riots on Thursday.

Algerian authorities said damage by rioters amounted to $1 billion. They said all demonstrations have been banned in the Algerian capital.

In Gothenburg, Sweden, European Union leaders urged Algerian President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika to launch an initiative to stop the violence in his country. This as EU leaders, particularly French President Jacques Chirac, said they are closely monitoring the situation in the North African country.

For their part, Berber leaders have warned of continuing violence. Over the weekend 14 people, including two police officers, were injured in rioting in the Algerian city of Tizi Ouzou on Saturday.

The official Algerian news agency reported that Berbers ran through the streets hurling stones and breaking windows. Government installations were protected by police.

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