Foreign policy

Since independence Algeria has followed an anti-imperialist foreign policy and has supported liberation movements throughout the world. The country's leftist credentials, Arab-Islamic traditions and the western sophistication of many of its diplomats has given the country a pivotal negotiating role with terrorists and regional enemies, most prominently as a go-between during the Iran-Iraq war.

Since the early 1970s Algeria has been locked in conflict with neighbouring Morocco over its support for the Polisario guerillas. Although the conflict was eventually resolved and borders between the two countries have been reopened, relations remain strained.