France, March 20 -- France does not want "war with Algeria" but the North African nation is "aggressing" France by refusing to accept deportees, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Wednesday.

"We are not bellicose, we do not want war with Algeria. It is Algeria that is aggressing us," Retailleau told Sud Radio.

The minister's comments mark a significant escalation in rhetoric, coming just two days after France suspended a visa exemption agreement for Algerian diplomatic passport holders.

Retailleau described the visa suspension as the first step in what he called a "graduated response" to Algeria's position, warning that further actions could follow.

"We have begun implementing it with the suspension of facilities for th...