Spain Hails 'Close Cooperation' with Morocco in Managing Migration Flows

A file photo of would-be immigrants stand atop a border fence separating Morocco from the enclave of Melilla. (AFP)
A file photo of would-be immigrants stand atop a border fence separating Morocco from the enclave of Melilla. (AFP)
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Spain Hails 'Close Cooperation' with Morocco in Managing Migration Flows

A file photo of would-be immigrants stand atop a border fence separating Morocco from the enclave of Melilla. (AFP)
A file photo of would-be immigrants stand atop a border fence separating Morocco from the enclave of Melilla. (AFP)

Spain's Secretary of State for Migration, Pilar Cancela Rodriguez, hailed on Wednesday the “close cooperation” with Morocco in managing migration flows, the Moroccan news agency, MAP, reported.
Speaking at a press conference to outline the recently-approved reform of Spain's immigration law, Rodriguez highlighted the strong relations between the two countries, based on historical, cultural and neighborly ties, and their “exemplary” cooperation in managing human mobility.
The Spanish official noted that Morocco and Spain are working closely on circular and orderly migration projects, adding that both parties are determined to pursue their efforts along this path.
“Joint efforts of the two countries are part of this momentum,” she said.
Rodriguez also pointed out that this cooperation model is mutually beneficial, stressing the need to continue this collaboration in the future to manage migratory flows more effectively.
She emphasized the importance of regular meetings of the Moroccan-Spanish Permanent Joint Migration Group, which assesses the progress made in managing migratory flows where Morocco plays “a key role.”
Earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares praised Morocco’s cooperation with Spain in combating irregular migration, highlighting the crucial role the partnership plays in addressing migration challenges and enhancing border security.

In an interview with Spanish online newspaper El Diario, Albares said Morocco is still contributing to preventing irregular migration flows, explaining that hundreds of people who tried to cross the fence in occupied Ceuta and Melilla were stopped.
He said the issue of irregular migration cannot be managed without Morocco’s help.
The Minister praised the Kingdom’s cooperation, which he said makes Rabat a strategic partner for Spain and Europe.

 

 



Israeli Strike South of Beirut Kills Commander in Jama'a Islamiya Group

A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)
A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)
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Israeli Strike South of Beirut Kills Commander in Jama'a Islamiya Group

A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)
A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)

An Israeli drone strike south of the Lebanese capital killed a top commander from the Jama'a Islamiya group, the group said in a statement on Tuesday.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The strike on Tuesday morning killed Hussein Atawi, a leading commander in the armed branch of Jama'a Islamiya known as the Fajr Forces, as he was driving from his home to his office in Beirut, the statement said.

The Fajr Forces fired rockets across Lebanon's southern border at Israel throughout the year-long war that ended last year in a ceasefire deal. Israeli airstrikes killed several of the group's members during the conflict.

Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanese territory, mostly targeting fighters from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah or its arms depots. Israeli troops also still occupy five hilltop positions in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon, Hezbollah and the Jama'a Islamiya have condemned the strikes and Israeli troop presence, calling them violations of the truce and of Lebanon's sovereignty. Israel says the fighters and weapons pose a threat to Israeli civilians.