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☆ Morocco unearths Roman-era second century site in Rabat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] A view shows what Moroccan archeologists said is a Roman-era archeological site that they uncovered in Rabat, Morocco November 3, 2023.REUTERS/Ahmed El Jechtimi NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES Acquire Licensing RightsRABAT, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Moroccan archaeologists said on Friday they uncovered a Roman-era site in Rabat containing a port district, a bath and a cemetery dating back to the second century. The Roman-era bath spans over 2000 square meters (21,527 square feet) resembling imperial counterparts in Rome, he said. Archaeologists also found a second century headless statue of a Roman deity, he said, noting that when ancient Moroccans adopted Christianity around the fifth century it was a common practice to behead statutes representing Roman gods. The newly uncovered monuments are an extension of a nearby Roman-era site and tourist attraction, Chellah, where the Muslim Marinide dynasty built a fortified necropolis in the 13th century.

Persons: Ahmed El Jechtimi, Mauro, Abdelaziz El Khayari, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Rabat, Morocco, RABAT, Rome

☆ Four blasts kill one, injure three in Western Sahara, Moroccan authorities say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RABAT, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Four explosions late on Saturday in the city of Smara in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara killed one man and injured three others, local authorities said. The blasts damaged two houses, authorities said in a statement, without adding further details. Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, but the Algerian-backed Polisario Front wants an independent state there. Morocco has said autonomy is the most it can offer to the territory as a political solution. Twenty-eight other countries - mostly African and Arab - have opened consulates in Dakhla or the city of Laayoune, in what Morocco sees as tangible support for its Western Saharan rule.

Persons: Ahmed Eljechtimi, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Western, Polisario Front, UN, Polisario, UN Security, Thomson Locations: RABAT, Smara, Morocco, Western Sahara, Algerian, Polisario, Algeria, U.S, Dakhla, Laayoune

[1/3] Yemenis gather during a pro-Palestinian protest to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Sanaa, Yemen, October 20, 2023. Some demanded military action against Israel, others said Arab states should consider using other methods to stop the bombardment of Gaza. Egypt borders Gaza but has not been able to negotiate an opening of its crossing to allow in aid. Hundreds of people marched in central Tunis, a smaller protest than ones that have rallied there against Israel's Gaza campaign in recent days. On Iraq's border with Jordan, hundreds of supporters of Iran-backed paramilitary groups staged a sit-in to voice support for Gaza, brought in by bus.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed Gomaa, Souhail Ben Nasser, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Marisa, Hussein Samir, Suleiman al, Nafisa Eltahir, Amina Ismail, Tarek Amara, Ali Kucukgocmen, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Angus McDowall, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Houthi Media, REUTERS, Israel, Gaza, U.S ., Indonesian, U.S, Iran, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Sanaa, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, AMMAN, CAIRO, Jakarta, Tunis, Israel, Palestinian, Beyazit, Palestine, Cairo, Morocco, Western Sahara, America, Asia, U.S, Kuala Lumpur, Jaipur, Mumbai, Iraq, Tehran, Baghdad, Iran, Khalidi, Amman, Nafisa, Istanbul, Rabat

FIFA allocated the 2030 World Cup to Spain, Portugal and Morocco last week but also said Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay would host three matches to mark the tournament's centenary. Victor Matheson, sports economist at College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, said the 2030 World Cup proposal was "extremely well done" on FIFA's part. BEER BACK ON TAPThe World Cup in Qatar also had to contend with strict controls on alcohol. Two days before the tournament kicked off, Budweiser, the official beer of the World Cup, had taps at stadiums turned off by Qatari officials. "Like it or not, that's what ends up happening and everyone in the end remembers how great Lionel Messi was and how Argentina won the World Cup," he said.

Persons: Bob Dorfman, It's, Victor Matheson, Matheson, Vijay Setlur, Dorfman, Lionel Messi, Rohith Nair, Aadi Nair, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Toby Davis Organizations: FIFA, Pinnacle Advertising, Reuters, College of, Qatar, Budweiser, Nations, Schulich School of Business, Argentina, Thomson Locations: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, North Africa, Europe, Massachusetts, Qatar, Arab, Casablanca, Bengaluru

☆ Morocco to spend $11.7 billion on five-year post-quake reconstruction plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Ait Abdellah Brahim, 86, gestures among rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco, September 16, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad Acquire Licensing RightsRABAT, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Morocco plans to spend at least 120 billion dirhams ($11.7 billion) in a post-earthquake reconstruction plan over the next five years, the royal palace said on Wednesday. A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Sept 8, killing more than 2,900 people, mostly in the hard-to-reach villages of the High Atlas mountains. The plan would target 4.2 million people in the worst-hit provinces of Al Haouz, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Azizlal, the royal palace said, following a meeting of King Mohammed VI with government and army officials. The royal palace said the plan would be funded by the govenrment's budget, international aid and by a fund set up in response to the quake.

Persons: Ait Abdellah Brahim, Talat, Ammar Awad, Al Haouz, King Mohammed VI, households.It, Ahmed Eljechtimi, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco, Al, Taroudant, Marrakech, Ouarzazate

☆ Moroccans in earthquake-hit tourist area grieve losses, fret about future
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Ahmed Eljechtimi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The earthquake killed people and destroyed villages on which our tourism activity depends," said Abderrahim Bouchbouk, owner of the nine-room guesthouse that was once run by his grandfather. "That was a way for many local farmers to make additional revenue," said Bouchbouk, whose Kasbah La Dame guesthouse employs 14 people. Ahmed Bassim, a tourist guide in the Ouirgane area who has been forced to live in a tent for shelter since the earthquake, said the region was in desperate need of reconstruction. The region, one of Morocco's poorest, lies close to Marrakech, a popular tourist destination with luxurious hotels, fancy shopping centres and a historic souk. Lahcen Zelmat, head of the Morocco's tourism industry federation, said the long-planned event "would be a chance for Morocco to promote Marrakech destination again after the earthquake."

Persons: Abderrahim Bouchbouk, Mohamed Aznag, Tasa Ouirgane, Ahmed Bassim, Zelmat, Edmund Blair Organizations: Dame, REUTERS, Tourism, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: VALLEY, Morocco, Tasa, Dar Izergane, Ouirgane, Marrakech, souk

☆ Moroccans in Earthquake-Hit Tourist Area Grieve Losses, Fret About Future
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

"The earthquake killed people and destroyed villages on which our tourism activity depends," said Abderrahim Bouchbouk, owner of the nine-room guesthouse that was once run by his grandfather. Tourism offered vital extra earnings for many, with few other work opportunities outside tilling the land on smallholdings. "That was a way for many local farmers to make additional revenue," said Bouchbouk, whose Kasbah La Dame guesthouse employs 14 people. Ahmed Bassim, a tourist guide in the Ouirgane area who has been forced to live in a tent for shelter since the earthquake, said the region was in desperate need of reconstruction. The region, one of Morocco's poorest, lies close to Marrakech, a popular tourist destination with luxurious hotels, fancy shopping centres and a historic souk.

Persons: Ahmed Eljechtimi, Abderrahim Bouchbouk, Mohamed Aznag, Tasa Ouirgane, Ahmed Bassim, Zelmat, Edmund Blair Organizations: Dame, Tourism, World Bank, International Monetary Fund Locations: Ahmed Eljechtimi OUIRGANE VALLEY, Morocco, Tasa, Dar Izergane, Marrakech, souk

REUTERS/Nacho Doce Acquire Licensing RightsTINMEL, Morocco, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Villagers in parts of Morocco devastated by the country's biggest earthquake in over a century camped outside for a fourth night on Monday, as the death toll rose to more than 2,800 people. State TV reported late on Monday that the death toll had risen to 2,862, with 2,562 people injured. With much of the quake zone in hard-to-reach areas, authorities have not issued any estimates for the number of missing. In the village of Tinmel, almost every house was pulverised and the entire community has been left homeless. The stench of death from dozens of animals buried under the rubble wafts through parts of the village.

Persons: Mohamed Ouchen, Mouhamad Elhasan, Elhasan, Antonio Nogales, Alexander Cornwell, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Moaz Abd, Angus McDowall, Rosalba O'Brien, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, State TV, Imi N'Tala, United, UNESCO, Heritage, IMF, World Bank, United Arab, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tikekhte, Adassil, Morocco, Spain, Britain, Qatar, Moroccan, Tinmel, Spanish, Nogales, Marrakech, gridlocked, United Arab Emirates, Algeria

☆ Morocco's mud brick housing makes hunt for earthquake survivors harder
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Ahmed Eljechtimi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] An excavator removes stones from the road, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, outside Adassil, Morocco, September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce Acquire Licensing RightsAMIZMIZ, Morocco, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Rescuers digging on Monday through the rubble after Morocco's deadly earthquake warned that the traditional mud brick, stone and rough wood housing omnipresent in the High Atlas mountains reduced the chances of finding survivors. "This kind of collapse causes greater air tightness due to the types of material, like mud brick," Antonio Nogales, coordinator of operations for Firemen United without Borders, a Spanish rescue team on the ground, told Spain's TVE broadcaster. "Steel and concrete facilitate the possibility of survivors, but these (mud and brick) materials (common in Morocco) mean that in the first moments the chances of getting people out alive are reduced," Nogales said. Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi and Nacho Doce; additional reporting by Aislinn Lang in Madrid; writing by Ingrid Melander; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antonio Nogales, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Nacho Doce, Aislinn Lang, Ingrid Melander, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Firemen United, Borders, TVE, Thomson Locations: Adassil, Morocco, Marrakech, Spanish, Nogales, Madrid

Many people spent a second night in the open after the 6.8 magnitude quake hit late on Friday. Morocco has declared three days of mourning and King Mohammed VI called for prayers for the dead to be held at mosques across the country on Sunday. PULLING SURVIVORS FROM RUBBLEThere were hopes more survivors could be found. Footage captured on Saturday in Moulay Brahim, showed rescuers pulling someone from the rubble. It was Morocco's deadliest earthquake since 1960 when a quake was estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Persons: King, Adeeni Mustafa, King Mohammed VI, Caroline Holt, Abdellatif Ait, Saida Bodchich, Moulay Brahim, Ayat, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Jose Joseph, Adam Makary, Omar Abdel, Angus McDowall, Tom Perry, Frances Kerry, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: ., Reuters, Ministry, World Health Organization, International Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, High, . Geological Survey, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, IMF, Thomson Locations: BRAHIM, Morocco, Marrakech, Moulay, Tansghart, Abdellatif Ait Bella, Turkey, Bengaluru, Razek, Cairo, London

☆ Morocco earthquake damages historic mountain mosque
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 10 (Reuters) - Morocco's deadly earthquake badly damaged one of the most important historical sites in the High Atlas mountains, an earth-and-stone mosque built by a medieval dynasty that conquered North Africa and Spain. Moroccan media reported that parts of the Tinmel Mosque had collapsed. Photographs circulating online, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed tumbled walls, a half-fallen tower and large piles of debris. At least 2,000 people have died in the 6.8-magnitude quake, the most destructive in the area since at least 1900. The quake also caused damage to the old city of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where a minaret toppled over and parts of the historic city walls collapsed along with some traditional houses.

Persons: Zakia Abdennebi, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Dominique Vidalon, Angus McDowall, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, Moroccan Culture Ministry, United Nations, UNESCO, High, Thomson Locations: North Africa, Spain, Moroccan, Tinmel, Marrakech, Rabat, Paris

☆ Morocco earthquake killed young boy as family sat at dinner table
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Ahmed Eljechtimi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"That's when it struck," Ben Henna said. The earthquake was Morocco's most powerful since at least 1900 and it killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in small mountain villages like Tafeghaghte where the Ben Henna family live. Ben Henna and his other son, Mouad, staggered out of the open door into the alleyway as their house began to collapse. One family Ben Henna knew lost seven members. Fatima Boujdig sat with her husband in the shade of their large red truck, badly damaged by falling rubble, as a donkey grazed nearby.

Persons: Ahmed El Jechtimi, Hamid ben, Marouane, Ben, Mouad, Amina, Ben Henna's, Henna's, Fatima Boujdig, Omer Berberoglu, Angus McDowall, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Tafeghaghte, Morocco, Casablanca

☆ Rescuers Hunt for Survivors of Morocco Quake With Over 2,000 Dead
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Many people spent a second night in the open after the 6.8 magnitude quake hit late on Friday. The latest Interior Ministry figures put the death toll at 2,012, with 2,059 people injured, including 1,404 in critical condition. Morocco has declared three days of mourning and King Mohammed VI called for prayers for the dead to be held at mosques across the country on Sunday. PULLING SURVIVORS FROM RUBBLEThere were hopes more survivors could be found. Footage captured on Saturday in the town of Moulay Brahim, some 50 km (30 miles) south of Marrakech, showed rescuers pulling someone from the rubble.

Persons: Jihed Abidellaoui, Alexander Cornwell MARRAKECH, King Mohammed VI, Caroline Holt, Abdellatif Ait, Saida Bodchich, Ayat, ”, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Jose Joseph, Adam Makary, Omar Abdel, Tom Perry, Frances Kerry Organizations: ., Ministry, World Health Organization, International Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, High, Reuters, . Geological Survey, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, IMF Locations: Morocco, Marrakech, Moulay, Tansghart, Abdellatif Ait Bella, Turkey, Bengaluru, Razek, Cairo

☆ Morocco Earthquake Killed Young Boy as Family Sat at Dinner Table
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Persons: Ahmed Eljechtimi TAFEGHAGHTE, Hamid ben, Marouane, Ben, Mouad, Amina, Ben Henna's, Henna's, Fatima Boujdig, Ahmed El Jechtimi, Omer Berberoglu, Angus McDowall, Christina Fincher Locations: Morocco, Tafeghaghte, Casablanca

☆ Morocco's ancient city of Marrakech assesses quake damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Ahmed Eljechtimi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A general view of damage in the historic city of Marrakech, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9, 2023. The extent of damage to Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was not yet clear on Saturday morning though most of the main historic sites in the old city appeared largely unscathed. Standing in front of a pile of rubble elsewhere in the old city, with elegant archways rising up behind it, Marrakech resident Miloud Skrout said the damage had blocked alleyways making it hard to help trapped residents. Some houses also fell in the tightly packed old city, though residents told Reuters that these appeared to be mostly uninhabited. "We are glad to see foreign tourists join to give blood following this painful event," he added.

Persons: Abdelhak, Karim El Baridi, Baridi, Miloud Skrout, Winston Churchill, Mahmoud Abghach, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Angus McDowall, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, UNESCO, Reuters, World Bank, IMF, Thomson Locations: Marrakech, Morocco, Rights MARRAKECH

[1/6] A view shows a damaged room, following a powerful earthquake, in the village of Tansghart in the Asni area, Morocco, September 9, 2023. REUTERS/Abdelhak Balhaki Acquire Licensing RightsASNI, Morocco, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Abdellatif Ait Bella lay on the ground in his Moroccan mountain village, barely able to move or speak, his head bandaged from wounds inflicted by falling debris during Friday's earthquake that destroyed his home and devastated his community. "We have no house to take him to and have had no food since yesterday," said Bodchich, fearing for the future of their family of six with Ait Bella, the sole breadwinner through his work as a labourer, so badly injured. The village is already mourning ten deaths including two teenage girls, an inhabitant said, and others like Ait Bella are badly injured. Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi and Abdulhak Balhak Writing by Angus McDowallOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Abdelhak, Ait, Saida Bodchich, Toubkal, Bodchich, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Angus McDowall Organizations: REUTERS, Ait Bella, High, Thomson Locations: Tansghart, Morocco, Moroccan, Morocco's, Marrakech

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech. "When I felt the earth shaking beneath my feet and the house leaning, I rushed to get my kids out. [1/14]Residents rest in central Marrakesh following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9, 2023. It was Morocco's deadliest earthquake since 1960 when a quake was estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Marrakech is due to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank from Oct. 9.

Persons: Mohamed Azaw, Mohamed Ouhammo, Montasir, Abdellatif Ait, Saida Bodchich, Hannah McKay, Waaziz Hassan, Mohammad Kashani, Zakia Abdennebi, Tarek Amara, Alexander Cornwell, Ahmed Tolba, Jose Joseph, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Adam Makary, Michelle Nichols, Graham Keeley, Josephine Mason, Angus McDowall, Tom Perry, Tomasz Janowski, Frances Kerry, Alexander Smith, Peter Graff, Daniel Wallis Organizations: WHO, Moroccan, Interior Ministry, Geological Survey, Food, High, REUTERS, World Health Organization, UNESCO, . Geological Survey, University of Southampton, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, IMF, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Morocco, U.S, Amizmiz, Asni, Tansghart, Abdellatif Ait Bella, Marrakesh, Huelva, Jaen, Spain, Jemaa, Moroccan, Turkey, Algeria, Tunis, Imsouane, Dubai, Bengaluru, Cairo, New York, Madrid, London

☆ Algeria says it fired warnings at jet skiers who strayed into its sea from Morocco
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CAIRO, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Algeria's defence ministry said on Sunday its coastguard fired warning shots before firing directly at a man on a jet ski who entered Algerian waters, in an incident that a survivor said left two dead. "After multiple attempts, shots were fired on a jet ski," the ministry said. Another member of their group, Smail Snabi, was detained by the Algerian authorities, Kissi said. "Given that the maritime border area is witnessing intense activity by drug smuggling gangs and organized crime, Coast Guard members fired warning shots," the Algerian statement added. "I did not hear any warning shots.

Persons: Mohamed Kissi, Morocco's, Bilal, Abdelali Mchiouer, Smail Snabi, Kissi, Mchiouer's, Mohamed, Bilal Kissi, Bilal Kissi's, Hatem Maher, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Adam Makary, Ros Russell Organizations: coastguard, Rabat, Coast Guard, Reuters, Sunday, Human Rights, Ministry, Thomson Locations: CAIRO, Moroccan, Saidia, Algeria's, Algerian, Algeria, Morocco, Algiers, Oujda

☆ BRICS expansion hopefuls seek to rebalance world order
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Joe Bavier | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/6] People walk past the Sandton Convention Centre, which will host the upcoming BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa August 19, 2023. The wealthy West's domination of international bodies, such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank. DEVELOPING WORLD DISCONTENTWhile BRICS has not divulged a full list of expansion candidates, a number of governments have publicly stated their interest. Others want changes at the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Its BRICS trade has indeed increased steadily since it joined, according to an analysis by the country's Industrial Development Corporation.

Persons: James Oatway, Rob Davies, South, bode, Vladimir Putin, Steven Gruzd, BRICS, Ramón Lobo, Gruzd, Lucinda Elliott, Deisy, Yousef Saba, Gustavo Palencia, Lamine Chikhi, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Sandton, REUTERS, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, BRICS, Observers, South African Institute of International Affairs, U.S ., Reuters, United, Emirates, World Trade Organization, Argentine, New Development Bank, Russia, Industrial Development Corporation, South, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, JOHANNESBURG, Iran, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Ukraine, Venezuela, Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, United Nations, United States, Montevideo, Caracas, Dubai, Tegucigalpa, Lamine, Algiers, Rabat

☆ Morocco has not applied to join BRICS - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Wu Hong/Pool/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsRABAT, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Morocco has not made a formal request to join the BRICS grouping and will not attend its summit in South Africa, state news agency MAP said on Saturday. Citing an unnamed diplomatic source, MAP denied a statement by South Africa's foreign minister Anil Sooklal who said earlier this month Morocco was among the nations seeking to join the bloc. "South Africa allowed itself to speak about Morocco's ties with the BRICS without prior consultation," it said. Morocco would not attend the BRICS meeting in South Africa, MAP said, adding: "South Africa has in fact always shown a primary hostility towards Morocco and has systematically taken negative and dogmatic positions on the Moroccan Sahara issue." Morocco is attached to a non-divisive multilateralism and has good ties with the rest of BRICS member states, it said.

Persons: Wu Hong, Anil Sooklal, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center, REUTERS, South, Polisario, Thomson Locations: Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, India, Xiamen, Fujian Province, Morocco, Africa, Algeria, Western Sahara, Moroccan

☆ Morocco wants normal ties with Algeria, king says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RABAT, July 29 (Reuters) - King Mohammed VI said on Saturday Morocco hopes for a return to normality and open borders with Algeria amid severed diplomatic ties. Algeria unilaterally cut ties with Morocco in 2021 and halted the flow of a gas pipeline to Spain via Morocco. The Western Sahara dispute has been at the heart of worsening ties between the two countries. Morocco considers the territory its own, but the Algerian-backed Polisario front wants to establish an independent state there. "I should like to tell the leaders and people of our sister nation, Algeria, that no evil will ever be done to them, nor will any harm ever come to them from Morocco," king Mohammed said.

Persons: King Mohammed VI, Mohammed said, Abdelmedjid Tebboune, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Alistair Bell Organizations: Morocco, Moroccan, Polisario, Thomson Locations: RABAT, Algeria, Maghreb, Morocco, Spain, Algerian, Western Sahara, Rabat, Tel Aviv

☆ IMF working on global central bank digital currency platform
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Ahmed Eljechtimi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RABAT, June 19 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is working on a platform for central bank digital currencies (CDBCs) to enable transactions between countries, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Monday. "For this reason at the IMF, we are working on the concept of a global CBDC platform," she said. The IMF wants central banks to agree on a common regulatory framework for digital currencies that will allow global interoperability. A CBDC is a digital currency controlled by the central bank, while cryptocurrencies are nearly always decentralised. Already 114 central banks are at some stage of CBDC exploration, "with about 10 already crossing the finish line", she said.

Persons: Kristalina Georgieva, Georgieva, CBDCs, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Monetary Fund, IMF, Thomson Locations: RABAT, African, Rabat, Morocco

☆ Israel to recognise Moroccan sovereignty over W.Sahara soon -official
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RABAT, June 8 (Reuters) - Israel will soon announce its support for Morocco's claim of sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, Israeli parliament speaker Amir Ohana said on Thursday during a visit to Rabat. The Algerian-backed Polisario Front demands an independent state in Western Sahara. "I am fully aware of the importance of the recognition of the Moroccan Sahara ... Israel should move towards the goal of recognising the Moroccan Sahara just as our closest ally the U.S. did," Ohana told reporters after talks with his Moroccan counterpart. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Israel was considering backing Morocco on Western Sahara and that the issue was being discussed within the Israeli National Security Council (NSC). A diplomatic source told Reuters that Israeli recognition of Moroccan rule over Western Sahara could lead to a full upgrade of Israeli-Moroccan ties.

Persons: Amir Ohana, Donald Trump, Ohana, Benjamin, Netanyahu, Israel, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Polisario Front, Moroccan, Reuters, Israeli National Security Council, . Security, Thomson Locations: RABAT, Israel, Sahara, Rabat, Algerian, Western Sahara, Moroccan, Moroccan Sahara, U.S, Morocco, Western, Polisario, Spain

Morocco considers Western Sahara its own, but the Algeria-backed Polisario front demands an independent state there. The NSC's head, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, met Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita on Wednesday, Morocco's foreign ministry said without offering further details. At that meeting, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said: "I hope we will meet very soon in a different desert but with the same spirit." Moroccan media reported a possible plan to reconvene in the Western Sahara town of Dakhla. Holding it in coastal Dakhla could pose a challenge for Washington, which has never followed through on Trump's pledge to open a U.S. consulate in Western Sahara.

Persons: Yair Lapid inaugurates, Moroccan Foreign Ministry Mohcine, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Donald Trump, Tzachi Hanegbi, Nasser Bourita, Eli Cohen, Israel's, Abraham, Dan Williams, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Christina Fincher, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Moroccan Foreign Ministry, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, REUTERS, Wednesday, Western, Reuters, National Security Council, National Security, Israeli, Abraham Accords, Moroccan, Washington, Thomson Locations: Rabat, Morocco, REUTERS JERUSALEM, RABAT, Sahara, Western Sahara, Algeria, Polisario, Israel, statecraft, Moroccan, Spain, NEGEV, Abraham, Dakhla, U.S, Laayoune, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain

☆ Morocco restricts tomato exports over high domestic prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Ahmed Eljechtimi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

RABAT, March 24 (Reuters) - Morocco has restricted tomato exports since late February with a total ban in place from last week until Thursday to lower domestic prices, the head of the country's main fruit and vegetable exporters' group said on Friday. Higher-priced produce such as cherry tomatoes, which represent more than half of the North African country's tomato exports, are not included in the restrictions, Aderdour said. The agriculture minister did not respond to Reuters calls for comment and the agency in charge of food exports did not immediately answer a request for comment. However, when asked about inflation on Thursday, a government spokesperson said it was impossible to talk about exports while domestic food prices were high. Food inflation jumped to 20.1% last month, bringing general inflation to 10.1%, a level unmatched since the 1980s.

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