John Yves Le Drian , French Foreign Minister has criticised his country’s response to Algeria’s ongoing protests, saying France should not interfere in the affairs of a sovereign country.

Le Drian explained that France’s response was considered “biased in favour of the Algerian regime against the popular movement demanding not to extend [Algerian President Abdelaziz] Bouteflika’s fourth term”.

Speaking at a hearing before the Foreign Affairs Committee of France’s National Assembly, Le Drian said: “I want to make things clear concerning what is happening in Algeria. Our position in the past few days has been misinterpreted and misunderstood, and this is mainly due to our deep and complex relations with Algeria.”

France has been accused of backing the initiatives presented by Bouteflika, one of which has included a proposal to extend the ailing president’s current term despite the protests. In order to ease tensions surrounding this criticism, Le Drian asserted that “Algeria is a sovereign State and France does not have the right to interfere in its internal affairs”.

Adding that “The Algerian people are the only ones who have the right to decide their future and they have shown that they are determined to make their voices heard.”

He continued: “France has no right to get involved, and it is up to the Algerians only to decide and through a democratic dialogue.”

The minister also warned that France “is hopeful that there will be a transitional phase as soon as possible to respond to the aspirations of Algerians”.

Le Drian stressed that “for several weeks, we have witnessed a big [protest] movement [in Algeria] and we follow it with interest and admiration, because the process of these demonstrations is peaceful, civilized and dignified, which we find ourselves obliged to commend.”