Algeria denies Saudi mediation to end diplomatic crisis with Morocco

Algeria on Saturday denied any third-party mediation to help end the diplomatic crisis with Morocco, refusing that any take place to ease tensions with its western neighbour.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said the crisis between Algiers and Rabat "does not tolerate mediation," noting that his country’s position on the issue is clear, according to the state-run Algeria Press Service.

Lamamra was responding to a question on whether Saudi Arabia was mediating between the two North African countries.

"There is no mediation, not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow," said Lamamra, justifying his stance by having "strong reasons that bear full and undiminished responsibility for the party that brought the relations to this bad level," referring to Morocco.

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The minister said Algeria and Saudi Arabia were united in "common interests and consensus" just like with all other Arab countries.

Algeria suspended ties with Morocco last year.

The two are in deadlock over the Western Sahara dispute – a desert territory of which Morocco controls about 80 percent and claims to be under Rabat’s sovereignty – as well as Morocco’s ties with Israel.

Algeria claims hostility from Morocco, something the neighbouring kingdom denies.

The Western Sahara boasts rich Atlantic fishing waters, phosphate resources and a route to lucrative markets in West Africa.