France has sharply criticised Algeria’s decision to expel 12 of its officials, warning that the move would not go unanswered over rising tensions between the two countries.

Speaking on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the expulsion as “regrettable” and warned that it “will not be without consequences”. He added, “If Algeria chooses escalation, we will respond with the greatest firmness.”

Algeria announced that it had declared the 12 French officials persona non grata in response to the arrest of an Algerian consular official in France. Algeria’s foreign ministry labelled the arrest a “vile act”, which it attributed to French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.

The diplomatic row is the latest in a series of flare-ups between Paris and Algiers, whose relationship has long been complicated by historical grievances and political disagreements. The current dispute arrives at a sensitive juncture, just as both nations have been attempting to mend ties.

French prosecutors last week charged three Algerians — one of them a consular official — over the alleged abduction of Algerian government critic Amir Boukhors in a Paris suburb earlier this year. The trio were also indicted for alleged involvement in a “terrorist” conspiracy and have been placed in pre-trial detention.

The case has provoked outrage in Algiers, which sees the arrest of a diplomatic representative as an affront to its sovereignty. Meanwhile, French authorities insist the matter concerns serious criminal offences and must be handled by the judiciary.