Algerian authorities detained more than 200 Moroccans at Houari Boumediene Airport on Saturday following a massive influx of Moroccan travelers en route to Libya.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry summoned the Moroccan ambassador and informed him about the unusual flow of Moroccan nationals crossing into Libya.

Algerian security source said the detained Moroccans were considered suspect because they did not have valid residence in Libya.

The Algerian Minister of Maghreb Affairs, African Union and the Arab League, Abdelkader Messahel, informed the Moroccan ambassador of the decision of the Algerian authorities to allow, for this time, and exceptionally, the transit of the detained Moroccan nationals who are holding valid work or residence documents in Libya.

"The travelers who do not have documents supporting their trip to Libya will be subject to repatriation to their country of origin.” Messahel said.