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Algeria "discreetly" deals with diplomats’ abduction: FM

07 April 2012 23:24 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The Algerian authorities are " discreetly" dealing with the abduction of six Algerian diplomats in Mali, Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mourad Medelci said Saturday, APA reports.

"The crisis unit we have set up is continuously monitoring developments related to this case which requires a lot of discretion," Medelci was quoted by local APS news agency as saying. "The government is committed for the return of our compatriots, safe and sound."

"So far, there has been no claim of the kidnapping of our diplomats in (Mali’s northeastern city of) Gao," the minister said.

Algeria’s consul in Gao and six of his assistants were abducted Thursday by unknown gunmen.

As for the declaration of an independent state in northern Mali by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), Medelci said, "Algeria’s position is persistent. Like the international community, we support the unity and territorial integrity of Mali."

"With regard to the crisis in Mali, Algeria has strongly condemned the military coup, encourages ongoing efforts for a quick return to constitutional rule, the establishment of a legitimate government and the opening of a dialogue between all Malians to reach a solution to the issue of the North that should take into consideration territorial unity of the country and the best interests of the Malian people," Medelci said.