A statement said he was "looking forward to conducting visits in the region and meetings, engaging all concerned ahead of the issuance of the report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council in October". The conflict dates back to 1975, when colonial occupier Spain withdrew from Western Sahara, sparking a 15-year war...

"The foreign minister and I agreed that we should work together to increase the number of direct flights, the tourism, the trade volume, the investment," Eli Cohen said during a ceremony to inaugurate Israel's new embassy. The embassy in the capital Manama will replace the first embassy Israel opened in...

With a prolonged internal conflict anticipated and both the military and economy showing signs of strain, Israel's regional standing is being affected, say experts.

Mixed Martial Arts became popular in the kingdom since 2014, when it hosted the regional Desert Force competition.

The monarch is credited with effectively maintaining stability in a volatile region -- in part through suppressing criticism -- as well as modernising the economy and pursuing assertive diplomacy. But his efforts have fallen short in addressing the profound inequalities that continue to plague Moroccan society.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - After being banned in several Arab countries, blockbuster film Barbie in Saudi Arabia is drawing huge crowds.The unexpected success of the film Barbie in Saudi Arabia has become a symbol of the dramatic societal changes taking place in the Middle East. Despite calls for its ban...

Many fans who had travelled to Doha to support the Atlas Lions last year found themselves deprived of free tickets promised to them by the Moroccan Football Federation. The tickets were sold on the black market at four or five times their face value, according to accounts gathered at the...

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights said proceedings were launched "on the basis of political opinions, investigations, press articles published on social networks, or because of participation in peaceful demonstrations". It said sentences handed down over the past two years ranged from a few months to six years in prison....

RABAT, MOROCCO -  Morocco's King Mohammed VI has expressed hope for a return to normality and reopening of borders with North African neighbor Algeria, which cut diplomatic ties nearly two years ago."We pray to the Almighty for a return to normality and a reopening of the borders between our two neighboring...

On Saturday authorities said six migrants drowned off northern Morocco trying to reach Spain. Mohamed Zendour, of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), told AFP a boat went down near Dakhla, in the disputed Western Sahara, on Monday, resulting in the latest fatalities.

When Morocco's women take on two-times former champions Germany in Melbourne they will be the first Arab team to play at a Women's World Cup, months after the men's historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar. The country is still buzzing from what their men did at the Qatar World...

The Spanish islands have long been a draw for migrants seeking a better life in Europe, with many boats setting off from the coastline of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal. But the Atlantic route to the Canaries is particularly dangerous due to the strong currents, with migrants travelling in...

Avoided by western tourists, Iran is turning to wealthy Arab states and other nearby countries to bolster its sanctions-hit economy. It is also drawing visitors from Russia and China. Owing to the thaw in relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran is now interested in closer ties with the Arab world.

Dubai, UAE--Morocco said that Israel has recognized its sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara and is mulling opening a consulate there, according to media reports.A statement from Morocco's Royal Palace said Israel's position was expressed in a letter to King Mohammed VI from Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.The...

The company will invest through acquisitions and JVs.

The kingdom had already condemned Wednesday's incident in which an Iraqi citizen living in Sweden stomped on the Muslim holy book and set several pages alight. The foreign ministry summoned the ambassador on Sunday to urge Sweden "to stop all actions that directly contradict international efforts seeking to spread the...

Originally practiced by enslaved people and dating back at least to the 16th century, Gnaoua has gone from being practiced largely in private gatherings, where therapeutic rituals accompanied the music, to public events such as concerts and festivals.

Activist Quinndy Akeju said many families "had not yet identified or buried their dead" after some 2,000 migrants -- many from conflict-torn Sudan -- stormed the metres-high fence that seals off Melilla from Morocco on June 24, 2022. She claimed there had been no "independent inquiry" into how Moroccan and...

With violence escalating between Palestinians and Israelis, Morocco has postponed a meeting of Arab allies of Israel it was due to host this summer. According to the country's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita a date for the meeting can be worked out when circumstances are more "favorable." The annual meeting was...

The law will apply to a wide array of “illegal content” including, but not limited to, false and fake news, disinformation campaigns, and actions that systematically influence democratic electoral processes.

Seeking to support and promote its national cinema, Morocco has spent 60 about $60m annually on productions since 2012. Moroccan cinema gained steam in the 1970s and '80s, with the emergence of powerful filmmakers such as Mustapha Derkaoui and Ahmed Bouanani.

MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) Saqr Ghobash met with Morocco Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi El Alami on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue here.Ghobash also met with Naam Miyara, President of the Chamber of Councillors of Morocco.The...

Jerusalem, Undefined - Israeli defense exports hit an all-time high of $12.5 billion last year, with Arab countries that recently established ties accounting for nearly a quarter of purchase contracts, officials said Wednesday.The defense ministry, which oversees and approves the exports of Israel's defense industries, said one quarter of deals were...

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO -  Hundreds demonstrated on Sunday in Morocco's economic capital Casablanca to protest against the surging cost of living in the North African country and urged action by the government, AFP correspondents said.  Protesters from the Democratic Labor Confederation (CDT) rallied in Casablanca's historic center "to shout out our discontent...

Morocco has the largest population of Berbers in North Africa, and Thursday's decision responds to a long-standing demand by activists to preserve the language, which is currently taught to just 330,000 pupils. The move "will necessitate more specialist and bilingual teachers", the education minister said.

M'hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco -- In a Moroccan oasis town on the edge of the Sahara, nomads in turbans and tunics are thwacking a camel-wool ball across the desert in a traditional pastime: sand hockey.Similar in many ways to field and ice hockey, but played barefoot and with palm wood sticks,...

Rabat, Morocco: Morocco and the United Kingdom signed on Tuesday a Strategic Framework for Cooperation on climate action, clean energy and green growth.Signed by Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita, and the UK Minister of State for the MENA region Lord Ahmad, the agreement aims to facilitate Morocco’s accelerated transition from...

Rabat, Morocco-- Seeking to deepen its investments in Morocco, which stood at US$14 billion at the end of 2021, the UAE intends to widen the partnership with the kingdom over the next few years.In this regard, the two countries have agreed to double the volume of trade and investment exchange...

Rabat, Morocco - The UAE is keen to strengthen economic and trade relations with Morocco, in a way that enhances the establishment of new partnerships that serve their interests in vital sectors and consolidate the strength of bilateral relations, UAE's Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri has said.This...

The funds will be used in laying subsea cables between UK and Morocco.

Morocco is the world's largest producer of cannabis resin according to the United Nations, and police seized nearly 100 tonnes last year. Police in recent years have also made multiple large seizures of cocaine, with South American cartels using the North African nation as a smuggling transit hub for Europe.

In the midst of strain with Algeria over the Western Sahara, Morocco's King Mohammed VI has appointed a new second-in-command of the armed forces. The number two is Inspector General Mohammed Berid who replaces General Belkhir El Farouk. The king under the country's constitution himself commands the armed forces.

Coastguards of the kingdom's navy operating in the Mediterranean and Atlantic rescued 552 illegal migrants of varying nationalities between April 8 and 18," mostly from sub-Saharan African countries, the military source told official news agency. The source said among them were people attempting the crossing aboard makeshift boats, in canoes,...

Rabat has pledged that prices will soon fall, and announced several initiatives to tackle market speculation, but government spokesman Mustapha Baitas said the measures "have not had the expected results." In an attempt to stem the price rises, Rabat suspended exports of some products in early February, including tomatoes, to...

Washington, USA - International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved SDR 3.7262 billion ($5 billion) on a two-year arrangement for Morocco under the Flexible Credit Line (FCL).Morocco has benefited from four Precautionary and Liquidity Line (PLL) arrangements since 2012, each totaling about $3 billion.The first PLL was approved on August 3, 2012,...

A case in point is the royal palace's reaction after the opposition Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) "deplored" the Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita for allegedly defending Israel publicly, even as it commits "criminal aggression against our Palestinian brothers". King Mohammed VI's office hit back, accusing the PJD of voicing...

Tangiers, Morocco--Morocco stunned Brazil 2-1 in a friendly international on Saturday as the north African side recorded a first ever win over the five-time world champions.Midfielder Sofiane Boufal, a former Southampton star, but now playing with Al Rayyan in Qatar, gave Morocco the lead after 29 minutes, scoring with a powerful...

Efforts to uncover Jewish historical treasures are one of the outcomes of warming ties since Morocco and Israel normalized relations in 2020.

Morocco has joined the bid by Spain and Portugal to host the centenary World Cup in 2030, according to its ruler, King Mohammed VI. The king said in a message delivered as he was named the winner of the African Football Confederation 2022 Award of Excellence in Kigali, where FIFA...

The country managed to restrict inflation to 6 percent and sustain jobs despite challenges, the North African nation's Industry and Trade Minister, Ryad Mezzour, tells TRENDS.

Dubai, UAE--TAQA Morocco is looking to invest $1.6 billion in renewable energy solutions in Morocco in order to lift up electricity production by 50 percent by 2030. Owned by Abu Dhabi National Energy Co., the company plans to diversify its activities in clean energy and water desalination as part of its...

RABAT, MOROCCO - UAE's Federal National Council (FNC) highlighted the critical role of parliaments in addressing the repercussions of climate change, by passing laws that preserves the environment and promote the use of clean energy.The FNC's Parliamentary Division made this statement during the intervention by Aisha Mohammed Al Mulla, FNC...

Morocco and Algeria have moved to revive long-stalled projects in light of a gas supply crunch following Russia's invasion of Ukraine a year ago. Prices surged and Europe - which was heavily reliant on Russian gas - had to look elsewhere for energy.

The situation has been made worse by a crisis facing the agricultural sector, which makes up 14 percent of gross domestic product. The worst drought in four decades has been compounded in recent weeks by a snap of unusually cold weather. The government has boosted subsidies on some basic products...

Defying a government ban against marches, scores of Moroccan trade union activists protested on Sunday in the capital Rabat and other cities to denounce surging costs of food and fuel. Protestors from the Democratic Labour Confederation (CDT) organized rallies outside their offices in Rabat and Casablanca as well as other...

The only indication of the Western Wall plaza's North African heritage is a Moroccan flag, flying discreetly in a nearby private garden.

Rabat, Morocco--The Moroccan parliament decried Wednesday an "unjust campaign" against it at the European Parliament ahead of a hearing in Brussels over the North African country's alleged use of Pegasus spyware.The European Parliament is set to hear from experts, human rights defenders and journalists on Thursday on claims that Morocco had...

Rabat, Morocco--A Moroccan appeals court has increased the prison sentences of eight migrants over a deadly attempted crossing into the Spanish enclave of Melilla, their lawyer said Tuesday.Around 2,000 people, many of them Sudanese, stormed the frontier on June 24 in a bid to reach Spanish territory across one of...

The visit comes less than a year after the Spanish leader drew a line under a year-long diplomatic crisis by reversing decades of neutrality on the Western Sahara conflict to back Morocco's position. But the concession to Morocco has drawn harsh criticism from across the Spanish political spectrum. Sanchez's number...

Spain's North African enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta - which both border Morocco - have long been magnets for people fleeing violence and poverty across Africa, seeking refuge via the continent's only land frontiers with the European Union. Sanchez said the sides also aimed to "completely normalise the passage of...