Algeria has recalled its ambassador to Spain over Madrid's recent change of policy on Western Sahara.

The move comes hours after Spain announced that it was endorsing a Moroccan plan for autonomy in the contested Western Sahara region in what Madrid called the beginning of "a new phase in relations."

Madrid noted that the new phase will be "based on mutual respect, the completion of agreements, the absence of unilateral actions and the permanent transparency of communication."

(With input from agencies)