AU Summit: Morocco reaffirms clear & unwavering defense of Palestinian cause, condemns continuing war in Gaza Strip

Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, which places the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Sharif at the forefront of its concerns, reaffirmed its unwavering support of the Palestinian question and defense of the Palestinian people, condemned the continuing war in Gaza, and reiterated its commitment to a peaceful settlement based on the two-state solution to establish a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The remarks were made Sunday by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who represented King Mohammed VI at the 37th African Union Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Feb.17-18Sunday.

Morocco will continue its tireless efforts to defend the Holy Places, notably Al-Quds Al-Sharif, to which the King, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, attaches particular importance, by combining political and diplomatic action along with the work on the ground carried out by Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency, the executive arm of Al-Quds Committee, Bourita Said, recalling that the agency implements concrete plans and projects, with the aim of preserving the cultural identity of the Holy City, improving the social and living conditions of Al Quds inhabitants and supporting their resistance.

The Kingdom shares with brotherly African countries the feelings of great sadness and deep sorrow at the violent events and military confrontations in the Middle East region, particularly the Gaza Strip, with what it has unfortunately left and continues to do, thousands of dead, wounded, missing, forcibly displaced and the destruction of numerous residential buildings, hospitals, and places of worship, in flagrant violation of international laws and human values, Bourita added.

Morocco, through the voice of the King, had stressed in his address to the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh the need for collective action to achieve four urgent priorities, the Minister recalled.

These priorities evolve around bringing about urgent, tangible de-escalation and stop military attacks to pave the way for a permanent, verifiable ceasefire; ensuring the protection of civilians and preventing their targeting, in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law; allowing for the steady delivery of humanitarian aid, in sufficient quantities, to the inhabitants of Gaza; and paving the way for a political settlement of the Palestinian issue – one that can revive the two-state solution agreed upon by the international community, Bourita recalled.