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.



Lebanon's Ex-central Bank Chief to Remain Detained Amid Probe

Lebanese army and police officers stand near what is believed to be a convoy of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh at the Justice Palace in Beirut, Lebanon September 9, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanese army and police officers stand near what is believed to be a convoy of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh at the Justice Palace in Beirut, Lebanon September 9, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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Lebanon's Ex-central Bank Chief to Remain Detained Amid Probe

Lebanese army and police officers stand near what is believed to be a convoy of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh at the Justice Palace in Beirut, Lebanon September 9, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Lebanese army and police officers stand near what is believed to be a convoy of former Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh at the Justice Palace in Beirut, Lebanon September 9, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

A judge ordered Lebanon's former central bank chief Riad Salameh to remain in detention amid a probe into alleged financial crimes committed during his tenure, including embezzlement of public funds, three judicial sources said.

Investigative judge Bilal Halawi took the decision after questioning Salameh for the first time since he was taken into custody last week on charges that state media said included embezzlement, forgery and illicit enrichment.

Halawi set another hearing for Thursday, one of the sources said.

Salameh's media office has said he would not comment publicly on the case, in line with the law. It said in a statement he had cooperated in the past with more than 20 criminal probes in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, and was cooperating with the investigation after his detention.

Salameh has denied previous corruption charges.

If the prosecution continues, it would mark a rare case of a serving or retired senior Lebanese official facing accountability in a system which critics say has long shielded the elite.

A group of protesters shouted "Thief!" as a convoy they believed was transporting Salameh entered the justice ministry building. Some of them struck one of the vehicles with their hands.

Salameh was long feted as a financial wizard in Lebanon but left office with his reputation shredded by corruption charges at home and abroad and the catastrophic collapse of Lebanon's financial system in 2019.

MILLIONS

Judicial sources told Reuters last week Salameh was suspected of financial misconduct related to commissions worth more than $110 million in a scheme linked to Optimum Invest, a Lebanese firm that offers income brokerage services.

Investigators have zeroed in on more than $40 million in suspicious transactions linked to that scheme that made their way from an account at the central bank to an account belonging to Salameh, judicial sources said.

Optimum Invest has said it was assisting the judicial authorities in their investigation and providing them with all requested information, and that its dealings with the central bank were conducted in full compliance with the law.

The Lebanese authorities have not published the charges.

The charges brought against Salameh last week are separate from previous charges of financial crimes linked to Forry Associates, a company controlled by his brother, Raja. The brothers - who deny any wrongdoing - were accused of using Forry to divert $330 million in public funds through commissions.

Several European countries including France and Germany have been investigating whether tens of millions of dollars of the funds allegedly embezzled from the central bank were laundered in Europe.

Last year, French and German authorities issued warrants for his arrest. The Munich prosecutor's office said in June that German authorities have cancelled their arrest warrant for technical reasons but were continuing their probe and keeping Salameh's assets frozen.