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Arab, International Solidarity with Morocco after Devastating Earthquake

Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
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Arab, International Solidarity with Morocco after Devastating Earthquake

Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)
Destruction in an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh following the earthquake (Reuters)

Arab and Western countries offered their condolences to Morocco for the victims of the Friday earthquake, which killed at least 1,305 people and injured 1,832, and expressed their solidarity.

-Saudi Arabia

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sent a cable of condolences to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for the victims of the earthquake that resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

They expressed their sympathies, praying for solace to the families of the deceased and wishing speedy recovery to the injured.

Saudi Arabia expressed condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Morocco for the earthquake that hit the country and led to the death and injury of hundreds of people.

The Kingdom expressed solidarity with Morocco in this time of great affliction and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery and Morocco safety and security.

-UAE

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of condolence to King Mohammed VI of Morocco over the victims of the earthquakes that hit the country, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured.

The President ordered the creation of a humanitarian airbridge to enable the charity institutions affiliated with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to send relief aid to those affected by the earthquake in Morocco.

Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also dispatched similar messages to King Mohammed VI, wishing Morocco safety and security.

-Qatar

On Saturday, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed deep condolences to the Moroccan King following the devastating earthquake that affected several regions of the Kingdom.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani also spoke to his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch via phone.

Sheikh Tamim directed urgent aid and rescue crew.

-Kuwait

Kuwait's Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah directed the government to provide all necessary relief supplies for Morocco.

-Bahrain

Bahrain also offered condolences to Morocco for the earthquake victims.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed its sympathy and solidarity with Morocco, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

-Oman

The Sultanate of Oman sympathized with the Moroccan government and people after the earthquake.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the Sultanate expressed sincere condolences to the victims' families and its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

-Algeria

Algeria said it would open its air space for humanitarian and medical flights to Morocco. In a statement, Algeria's presidency said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid and offer all its material and human capabilities in solidarity with the Moroccan people if Morocco requests such help.

-Egypt

Egypt offered its deepest condolences to Morocco following the deadly earthquake.

The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering solidarity with Morocco, its government, and its people as they grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragic and painful incident.

-Jordan

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry expressed its warmest condolences and sincere sympathy to Morocco for the earthquake victims that occurred Friday evening and resulted in several victims and injuries.

-The OIC

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) voiced solidarity with Morocco after the powerful earthquake.

In a statement, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, affirming the solidarity of the OIC and its support for Morocco and its people in facing the effects of this devastating tragedy and overcoming this humanitarian ordeal.

-Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed all government bodies and forces to provide any necessary assistance to the people of Morocco, including the preparations for sending an aid delegation to the area.

Netanyahu expressed the Israeli government and people's sympathy with the Moroccan people during this tragedy, offering his sincerest condolences to the families who fell victim to the quake.

He delegated to all specialized forces in Israel to be on standby to head to Morocco and extend a helping hand to the local troops in rescuing those who were stuck and administering aid to survivors.

The Israeli government also added that the Ministry of Defense and the Israeli army are on standby to offer help through their specialized rescue forces.

-Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "devastated" by news of the quake, adding that "France stands ready to help with first aid."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she "learned with grief of the tragic toll" from the quake and pointed to "Italy's willingness to support Morocco in this emergency."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the wake of this terrible earthquake, asserting that "Spain is with the victims of this tragedy."

The Spain military emergency unit and our embassy and consulates are at the disposal of Morocco," Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said at the G20 meeting in New Delhi.

Foreign Secretary of the UK James Cleverly announced his country's readiness to help Morocco however it can, noting that the UK continues to support British nationals in the region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy with the Moroccan people, while top EU diplomat Joseph Borrell said the bloc is ready to provide Morocco "the assistance it wishes."

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed similar sentiments and said in a message to Morocco's King, "We share the pain and the mourning of the friendly Moroccan people."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his "deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake."

"Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time," he said on social media.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported "our Moroccan brothers in every way in this difficult hour."

-Asia

China. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a "message of condolence" to King Mohammed VI.

"I am shocked to learn that a strong earthquake has occurred in your distinguished country, causing great casualties and property damage," Xi said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is hosting the G20 summit this weekend, said he was "extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco."

-The US

US President Joe Biden said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco.

Biden announced that the US administration is in contact with Moroccan officials and stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the quake as "heartbreaking," adding: "We stand ready to support the immediate health needs."

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Arab World

US Ambassador Causes Uproar by Claiming Israel has a Right to Much of the Middle East

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is seen during an interview in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is seen during an interview in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
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US Ambassador Causes Uproar by Claiming Israel has a Right to Much of the Middle East

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is seen during an interview in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is seen during an interview in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)

Arab and Muslim nations on Saturday sharply condemned comments by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who said Israel has a right to much of the Middle East.

Huckabee made the comments in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired Friday. Carlson said that according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would receive land that today would include essentially the entire Middle East, and asked Huckabee if Israel had a right to that land, The AP news reported.

Huckabee responded: “It would be fine if they took it all." Huckabee added, however, that Israel was not looking to expand its territory and has a right to security in the land it legitimately holds.

His comments sparked immediate backlash from neighboring Egypt and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry described Huckabee's comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable,” and called for the State Department to clarify its position on them.

Egypt's foreign ministry called his comments a “blatant violation” of international law, adding that “Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands.”

“Statements of this nature — extremist and lacking any sound basis — serve only to inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions,” the League of Arab States said.

Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has not had fully recognized borders. Its frontiers with Arab neighbors have shifted as a result of wars, annexations, ceasefires and peace agreements.

During the six-day 1967 Mideast war, Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan, Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula as part of a peace deal with Egypt following the 1973 Mideast war. It also unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

Israel has attempted to deepen control of the occupied West Bank in recent months. It has greatly expanded construction in Jewish settlements, legalized outposts and made significant bureaucratic changes to its policies in the territory. US President Donald Trump has said he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank and has offered strong assurances that he’d block any move to do so.

Palestinians have for decades called for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with east Jerusalem its capital, a claim backed by much of the international community.

Huckabee, an evangelical Christian and strong supporter of Israel and the West Bank settlement movement, has long opposed the idea of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian people. In an interview last year, he said he does not believe in referring to the Arab descendants of people who had lived in British-controlled Palestine as “Palestinians.”

In the latest interview, Carlson pressed Huckabee about his interpretation of Bible verses from the book of Genesis, where he said God promised Abraham and his descendants land from the Nile to the Euphrates.

“That would be the Levant, so that would be Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon. It would also be big parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq," Carlson said.

Huckabee replied: “Not sure we'd go that far. I mean, it would be a big piece of land."

Israel has encroached on more land since the start of its war with Hamas in Gaza, which was sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Under the current ceasefire, Israel withdrew its troops to a buffer zone but still controls more than half the territory. Israeli forces are supposed to withdraw further, though the ceasefire deal doesn’t give a timeline.

After Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted at the end of 2024, Israel's military seized control of a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. Israel said the move was temporary and meant to secure its border.

And Israel still occupies five hilltop posts on Lebanese territory following its brief war with Hezbollah in 2024.

Arab World

Libya’s Ramadan Celebrations Tempered by Economic Woes

A family walks on their way to shop for Ramadan decorations ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, February 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A family walks on their way to shop for Ramadan decorations ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, February 16, 2026. (Reuters)
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Libya’s Ramadan Celebrations Tempered by Economic Woes

A family walks on their way to shop for Ramadan decorations ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, February 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A family walks on their way to shop for Ramadan decorations ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, February 16, 2026. (Reuters)

Libyans have been enjoying Ramadan with feasts and fireworks -- but soaring prices, a devalued currency and political divisions have left many with little to celebrate.

Fifteen years on from the fall of longtime leader Moammar al-Gaddafi, the country remains split between east and west, while shortages of goods, including fuel, disrupt daily life, despite Libya sitting atop vast oil and gas reserves.

During the holy month of Ramadan, shoppers stock up on treats, as families gather for lavish meals before and after the daytime fast that stretches from sunrise to sunset.

But this year supermarkets have been rationing their goods, while many petrol stations are short of gas. In the capital Tripoli, most ATMs were out of cash this week.

Firas Zreeg, 37, told AFP while weaving through a crowded supermarket that the economy was deteriorating, blaming currency speculators for the fall in the dinar, "which has negative repercussions on our daily lives".

The price of cooking oil has doubled in recent weeks, while meat and poultry prices rose by half.

Refills of gas cylinders, officially priced at 1.5 dinars ($0.24) but often unavailable through state-run distributors, now sell for 75 dinars ($11.85) on the black market and at times more.

- 'Burden on citizens' -

Libya has struggled to recover from the chaos that erupted following the 2011 uprising that toppled Gaddafi.

It remains divided between the Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli and an eastern administration backed by Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar.

The country has largely been stable in recent years although there have been bouts of deadly violence, including the killing of Gaddafi's son and heir apparent Seif al-Islam this month.

With security holding, many Libyans are more focused on their livelihoods.

Last month, the central bank in the western territory devalued the dinar -- the second time in less than a year -- by nearly 15 percent, "aimed at preserving financial and monetary stability and ensuring the sustainability of public resources".

In an address this week, GNU leader Abdulhamid Dbeibah acknowledged that the devaluation had once again "put the burden on citizens".

Hanna Tetteh, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, warned on Wednesday that "poverty and pressure on society [are] increasing".

"The situation, in addition to the fragile security landscape, should be a matter for concern as such conditions can lead to unexpected political and security challenges," she told the UN Security Council.

Libya's other economic problems included the absence of a unified national budget, in light of its political divide, as well as uncoordinated public spending due to parallel state institutions, Tetteh said.

Revenues from the oil industry were also declining, she added, while the central bank has said public spending is growing at an unsustainable pace.

On Tuesday, Libya marked 15 years since the start of the uprising, with fireworks lighting up the sky in Tripoli, but for many Libyans life remains a struggle.

"Minor improvements in security were made over the past three years," Zreeg told AFP, but Libyans are still faced with huge economic challenges.

Arab World

Libya PM Undergoes 'Successful' Treatment at Heart Hospital

Head of Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid Dbeibah. (GNU)
Head of Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid Dbeibah. (GNU)
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Libya PM Undergoes 'Successful' Treatment at Heart Hospital

Head of Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid Dbeibah. (GNU)
Head of Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid Dbeibah. (GNU)

Libya's Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has undergone "successful" treatment at a heart hospital, his office said Saturday, but his specific ailment was not disclosed.

"I assure you that I am fine, by God's grace," said a statement posted on social media overnight.

The treatment was carried out at a facility in the northwestern Libyan city of Misrata on an undisclosed date, said AFP.

Dbeibah said he later travelled abroad for "additional medical checkups for reassurance", though this was not the primary reason for his trip.

Italian media outlets previously reported he had been admitted to a leading cardiac facility in Milan on Thursday for a general check-up.

"The matter is simply that I underwent some additional medical checkups for reassurance while I was abroad due to a prior external commitment," he said.

"The results confirmed the success of the treatment I received in Libya, praise be to God."

The prime minister leads a UN-recognized government based in Tripoli that controls western Libya, while the country's east is run by another administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Libya has remained divided since chaos erupted following the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.