Morocco, Spain Boost Cooperation to Face Human Trafficking

Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
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Morocco, Spain Boost Cooperation to Face Human Trafficking

Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP
Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado. AFP

Spain and Morocco face common challenges in combating international terrorism, organized crime and human trafficking, said Spain’s Justice Minister Dolores Delgado.

Following a series of meetings with Moroccan officials during her visit to Morocco, Delgado called for enhancing dialogue, intensifying coordination and continuing bilateral cooperation to achieve the desired goals that serve their common interests.

She expressed hope that this important visit will contribute to strengthening the bridges of trust and consolidating the existing strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Spanish official stressed that Spain, as a member of the European Union, advocated for balanced relations with Morocco, taking into account the interests of both parties.

Delgado held talks in Rabat on Tuesday with Morocco's Justice Minister Mohamed Aujjar, Government Secretary General Mohamed Hajoui and the Speaker.

Judicial cooperation between Morocco and Spain is based on mutual trust due to solid framework of instruments and mechanisms, said Delgado after her meeting with Aujjar.

She pointed out that bilateral cooperation in the field of justice should be placed within the framework of "very close" relations between Morocco and Spain because they are neighbors and real strategic partners.

Meanwhile, Delgado expressed her satisfaction with the great progress made since the adoption of the 2011 constitution, the basic laws on the separation of powers and modernization of the judicial administration.

She noted that this legal framework enabled the strengthening of the judicial institutions of the supreme council of the judiciary and the public prosecution.

"The consolidation of the independence of the judiciary is a fundamental pillar in building democracy and the rule of law.”

Aujjar, for his part, praised the positive outcome of the cooperation between the justice ministries of the two countries.

He welcomed the dynamism of the two judges, who are keen to facilitate, simplify and enhance judicial and technical bilateral cooperation.

The Moroccan minister also pointed to the main features of the reform of the Moroccan judicial system, namely the independence of the judiciary, boosting judicial protection for rights and freedoms, increasing the efficiency of justice, developing the institutional capabilities of the judicial system and modernizing the judicial administration.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
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Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.