Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) has agreed, after a deal with Moscow, to release two Russian alleged spies arrested last year in Libya for working on behalf of Saif al-Islam, son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, Bloomberg reports. Maxim Shugaley and Samir Seifan, both Russian citizens, have been in custody since May last year […]
Asia
The UAE to become first Arab nation with consulate in Morocco’s Sahara
The UAE will open a consulate in Laayoune in a move that signals strong ties of brotherliness and firm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, the Royal Cabinet said in a statement. The decision came after a phone conversation between King Mohammed VI and his Brother Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed […]
Qatar, Libya ink security cooperation agreement
Qatar and the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) headquartered in Tripoli have signed a security cooperation agreement in Doha, Qatari media outlets report. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of a Libyan governmental delegation’s visit to Doha. The delegation conferred with Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in […]
Morocco, India to ease visa procedures
Morocco and India expressed willingness to ease visa procedures notably for businessmen and tourists, Morocco’s foreign ministry said. This came during a videoconference between Morocco’s foreign minister and his Indian peer Subrahmanyam Jaishankar who expressed satisfaction at the growing ties between the two countries as evidenced by the signing of some forty agreements and memorandums […]
Morocco’s BCP mulls stake sale to Asian bank
Morocco’s second largest bank, BCP, is said to be planning to allow in a major Asian bank as stakeholder in a bid to diversify its portfolio to Asia, Bloomberg reported. “The sale, which could be enacted through a cash injection, is the linchpin of a five-year strategy starting in 2021 that the Casablanca-based lender plans […]
COVID-19: UAFA to slash Mohammed VI Champion Cup prize money
The Union of Arab Football Associations, UAFA, organizer of the Mohammed VI Champions Cup, will scale down the prize money for the championship as result of the covid-19 pandemic economic impact. The competition, suspended in March due to travel restrictions because of the pandemic, will soon resume, Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal reportedly said last […]
Egypt tones down criticism of Turkey as divisions are being addressed
Egypt has instructed its media to water down criticism of Turkey at a time the two countries are engaged in secret talks to iron out conflicting files including the Libyan one. A source in Egyptian state TV who asked not to be named told New Khaleej that authorities gave the new instructions as Cairo and […]
Morocco’s King enquires about COVID-19 vaccine effort
King Mohammed VI chaired a ministerial meeting in Rabat Wednesday during which details were provided about the latest developments on an anti-COVID-19 vaccine currently developed by China. During the meeting, Health Minister Khaled Ait Taleb said that there is regular contact with the companies working on the vaccine as well as with the Chinese government, […]
Morocco’s textile operators rejoice at amendment of Morocco-Turkey FTA
Moroccan textile operators lauded the government’s approval of the amendment of the FTA with Turkey saying such a move would help restore balance to the domestic market and save local industry and jobs. Morocco and Turkey agreed to reintroduce customs duty amounting to 90% on 1200 Turkish industrial goods to help curb the chronic deficit […]
US Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker expected in Rabat
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker is expected in Morocco in the few coming days for talks with Moroccan officials on ways of enhancing economic and security cooperation ties between the two countries within the frame of their strategic partnership. The announcement was made this Monday by the US […]