Morocco Ministers, Senior Officials Donate a Month's Salary for Quake Relief Efforts

A meeting of Moroccan cabinet members (MAP).
A meeting of Moroccan cabinet members (MAP).
TT

Morocco Ministers, Senior Officials Donate a Month's Salary for Quake Relief Efforts

A meeting of Moroccan cabinet members (MAP).
A meeting of Moroccan cabinet members (MAP).

Morocco's government has announced that ministers, deputy ministers, and other officials will donate one month's net salary for the relief efforts for the earthquake victims in several Moroccan provinces.

During its meeting on Thursday, the government announced that the ministers, deputy ministers, the high commissioners, the general commissioner, and the ministerial commissioner would donate a one month's net salary.

Other public servants throughout the country will donate a one day's pay for each of the next three months: September, October, and November.

The pay will be deducted from their net salary before taxes or any retirement and social security contributions.

A government statement highlighted this national solidarity effort, referencing Article 40 of the constitution, which states everyone should bear, in a spirit of solidarity and proportion to their means, the costs required for the country's development and those resulting from the burdens caused by disasters and natural catastrophes that afflict the nation.

The initiative also comes in response to Moroccan King Mohammed VI's directives to address the devastating effects of the recent earthquake.

The government lauded the spirit of solidarity and unity exhibited by the Moroccan people during these challenging times.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.