Sarkozy heads to Algeria under cloud of 'Jewish lobby' row

French President Nicolas Sarkozy heads Monday to Algeria to put the seal on multi-billion-euro oil and gas contracts, amid a row over remarks by an Algerian minister about alleged ties to the "Jewish lobby".

Sarkozy, who dismissed calls to cancel his second trip to the former French colony since his election in May, has said he considers the matter closed following talks with the Algerian president.

Abdelaziz Bouteflika firmly disowned comments by his veterans minister last week that Sarkozy owed his election to the "Jewish lobby", citing in particular Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who is half-Jewish. Sarkozy's maternal grandfather was Jewish.

The comments "in no way reflect Algeria's views" and Sarkozy -- travelling with some 100 French business leaders and seven ministers -- would be received "as a friend," Bouteflika said.

But the incident put a fresh strain on relations between Paris and its former colony, which have been tested by France's refusal to recognise crimes it has been accused of committing under its 1830-1962 colonisation of Algeria. More...