Algiers summons Tunisian ambassador over minister’s reference to Algeria as communist state

The Algerian Foreign Ministry Sunday summoned Tunisia’s ambassador to protest recent comments by a Tunisian minister referring to Algeria as “a communist state”.

Abdelmajid Ferchichi was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to provide clarification over the remarks on Algeria made by minister for local affairs Riadh Mouakher in Rome on May 4.

Algiers has condemned the comments made by the Tunisian official wbo reportedly qualified Algeria as a “communist state”.

Tunisia and Algeria enjoy strong ties. Both countries have teamed up in the fight against terrorism and have been coordinating with Egypt a regional settlement of the Libyan crisis.

Algeria is ruled by civil regime supported by the military with security officials all paying allegiance to ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in power since 1999.

The Country’s economy is largely dominated by state-run companies.