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.

Algeria has criticized French Culture Minister Rachida Dati’s visit to the disputed Western Sahara, calling it “objectionable on multiple levels.” Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, has been under Moroccan control for several decades.

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

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

Rachida Dati, France’s Minister of Culture, has made a landmark visit to Western Sahara, becoming the first French official to travel there in an official capacity. During her visit, Dati described the trip as “historic” and reiterated France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed 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.