French Foreign Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed the move in comments to Le Figaro, calling it a reaction to the recent arrest of three Algerian nationals in France.
“This decision would be a response to the arrest of three Algerian nationals suspected of serious offenses on French national territory,” Darmanin said.
According to BFM TV, he described the decision as “unjustified.”
“We have decided together, with the Algerian government, to reweave the thread of dialogue in the service of our two countries,” Darmanin stated.
“I call on the Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures, which have no connection with the legal proceedings underway,” he added.
The foreign minister warned that France would respond “immediately” if the expulsions move forward.