Rabat seeks to ease tensions with Cairo
Rabat seeks to ease tensions with Cairo
Morocco is trying to mend relations after state media channels attacked the Egyptian president.
2 min read
Morocco TV has accused Sisi's regime of being "bloody" [AFP]
Morocco has been trying to contain the repercussions of an intense media war that broke out with Egypt a few days ago. Tensions were sparked after state-run Moroccan TV described the ruling political regime in Egypt as "coupist and bloody".
Initially the Moroccan government, led by the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party, remained silent over the crisis. However, government ministers have since made statements trying to mend relations between the two countries. Egyptian foreign Minister Sameh Shokri is also expected to visit Rabat on 18 January to help defuse tensions.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting chaired by Morocco's Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, communications minister and official government spokesperson, Mustapha El Khalfi, said efforts were underway to contain the crisis. It is also hoped they will and reopen talks over a strategic partnership between the two countries.
Khalifi also stressed that: "It is politically illogical and unacceptable, and morally unfair, not to protect this joint legacy between the two countries and to strive to continually develop the interests of the two fraternal people."
The government has sought to ease tensions ahead of a proposed visit by Moroccan Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar to Cairo later this month. Mezouar is expected to attend an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss developments over the situation in Palestine.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
Initially the Moroccan government, led by the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party, remained silent over the crisis. However, government ministers have since made statements trying to mend relations between the two countries. Egyptian foreign Minister Sameh Shokri is also expected to visit Rabat on 18 January to help defuse tensions.
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Egyptian foreign Minister Sameh Shokri is also expected to visit Rabat on 18 January to help defuse tensions. |
Speaking after a cabinet meeting chaired by Morocco's Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, communications minister and official government spokesperson, Mustapha El Khalfi, said efforts were underway to contain the crisis. It is also hoped they will and reopen talks over a strategic partnership between the two countries.
Khalifi also stressed that: "It is politically illogical and unacceptable, and morally unfair, not to protect this joint legacy between the two countries and to strive to continually develop the interests of the two fraternal people."
The government has sought to ease tensions ahead of a proposed visit by Moroccan Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar to Cairo later this month. Mezouar is expected to attend an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss developments over the situation in Palestine.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
