French Culture Minister Rachida Dati began a visit on Monday to the disputed Western Sahara, a sign of French support for Moroccan sovereignty over the desert territory. The long-frozen conflict

Algeria on Tuesday denounced a visit by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati to Western Sahara, after Paris recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory, as "objectionable on multiple levels".

RABAT - French Culture Minister Rachida Dati began a visit on Monday to disputed Western Sahara where she will meet officials and open a French cultural center in a show of support for Moroccan sovereignty over the desert territory.

After Rachida Dati's trip to the territory controlled by Morocco but claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, an Algerian foreign ministry statement posted on social media on Tuesday said the visit 'reflects blatant disregard for international legality by a permanent member of the UN Security Council.