Oman Voices Support for Morocco's Territorial Integrity

 Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaid (Asharq Al-Awsat)
 Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaid (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Oman Voices Support for Morocco's Territorial Integrity

 Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaid (Asharq Al-Awsat)
 Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaid (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Sultanate of Oman expressed on Tuesday its support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and the Moroccan autonomy plan, calling it a “serious, realistic and credible” initiative and a “basis for resolving the issue” of the Moroccan Sahara.

This position was expressed in a joint statement issued at the end of the 6th session of the Moroccan-Omani Joint Commission, co-chaired by Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi.

The Sultanate of Oman “reiterated its support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco” and affirmed, in this context, “its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a basis for resolving this regional dispute.”

It also expressed its appreciation for “the wisdom of the Moroccan leadership in its commitment to a peaceful solution that serves security and stability in the Maghreb region.”

Oman hailed the pioneering role played by Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of King Mohammed VI, in strengthening regional and international security and stability, as well as the Sovereign's sustained efforts to consolidate the foundations of peace and development on the African continent, the statement added.

For its part, the Moroccan side lauded the distinguished role of Oman, under the wise leadership of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, in consolidating the foundations of peace and security in its regional and international environment.

The two sides also stressed the importance of joint Arab action, insisting on the right of Arab states to defend their integrity and sovereignty, to strengthen their security and stability through the promotion of the values of mutual assistance, solidarity and good neighborliness, and to refrain from any interference in the internal affairs of states and any threat to their territorial integrity.

Oman then praised the sustained efforts of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to defend Jerusalem and its inhabitants, preserve its civilizational identity and its status as a symbol of tolerance and coexistence between monotheistic religions.

Morocco and the Sultanate of Oman reaffirmed their commitment to the political and legal status of Jerusalem, in accordance with the relevant international resolutions.

The two parties also reiterated their condemnation of extremism and terrorism in all their forms, whatever their pretexts and motivations, stressing that this dangerous scourge should in no way be associated with any civilization or religion.

They stressed the importance of joint regional and international efforts to combat and eradicate terrorism and its causes.



Syria’s New Rulers Crack Down on Alleged Assad Loyalist Militias

Fighters affiliated with Syria's new administration inspect the damage at the site of an explosion at a weapons depot the previous day at the Industrial area of Adra, some 30 kilometers from the Syrian capital Damascus on December 30, 2024. (AFP)
Fighters affiliated with Syria's new administration inspect the damage at the site of an explosion at a weapons depot the previous day at the Industrial area of Adra, some 30 kilometers from the Syrian capital Damascus on December 30, 2024. (AFP)
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Syria’s New Rulers Crack Down on Alleged Assad Loyalist Militias

Fighters affiliated with Syria's new administration inspect the damage at the site of an explosion at a weapons depot the previous day at the Industrial area of Adra, some 30 kilometers from the Syrian capital Damascus on December 30, 2024. (AFP)
Fighters affiliated with Syria's new administration inspect the damage at the site of an explosion at a weapons depot the previous day at the Industrial area of Adra, some 30 kilometers from the Syrian capital Damascus on December 30, 2024. (AFP)

Syria’s new government said it deployed dozens of soldiers in the Damascus suburb of Adra on Monday in search of alleged militiamen loyal to ousted President Bashar Assad, with military police vehicles seen transporting detainees.

“A security campaign was carried out in Adra town which led to the arrest of the militia leaders in the area,” said Abu Yaarub, a security official who did not give his full name in accordance with regulations. He added that five top militiamen were detained.

Clashes erupted last week in several cities across Syria between Assad supporters and the new government.

Since Assad’s fall, dozens of Syrians have been killed in acts of revenge, according to activists and monitors, the vast majority of them from the minority Alawite community to which Assad belongs.