Morocco: Justice, Development Party Decries ‘Systematic Campaign’ against Benkirane

Morocco: Justice, Development Party Decries ‘Systematic Campaign’ against Benkirane
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Morocco: Justice, Development Party Decries ‘Systematic Campaign’ against Benkirane

Morocco: Justice, Development Party Decries ‘Systematic Campaign’ against Benkirane

Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD) decried the “campaign” against former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane because of the exceptional salary granted to him by King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper received a copy of a statement published by PJD by which it denounced the systematic campaign against the party and its leaders -- it also expressed the party’s solidarity with Benkirane against these attempts to undermine his integrity and patriotism.

It is essential to respect the rules and etiquette of political and media dialogue, away from offending households, people and authorities, added PJD.

In its statement, the party hailed the positive government performance shown through several indices, open workshops on the level of combating terrorism and enhancing the business environment, in addition to some Moroccan universities stepping up to the international level.

The party also rejected the attacks against the country, the attacks that aim to belittle exerted efforts to protect rights and freedoms and to fixate the independence of judiciary authority.

In its Saturday meeting chaired by Saadeddine Othmani, PJD asserted that Morocco has always been keen to tackle any gaps in the human rights field through responsible national mechanisms.

Meanwhile, Morocco's Minister of Human Rights Mustafa Ramid said that Morocco can’t escape the parliamentary kingship and any talks otherwise are totally wrong, hinting on statements made by Benkirane.

Ramid added that parliamentary kingship is the advanced level of community, constitutional and political development to be witnessed by Morocco, stressing that its conditions are not met currently.

The minister expressed his faith and trust in the state’s will and wish to move forward.

“We believe that the state, on top of it his excellency the king, has the insistence and determination to move forward.”



Report: US Holds Secret Talks with Hamas on Gaza Hostages

Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
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Report: US Holds Secret Talks with Hamas on Gaza Hostages

Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)

The Trump administration has been conducting secret talks with the Palestinian group Hamas on the possibility of releasing US hostages being held in Gaza, two sources briefed on the conversations told Reuters.

US special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler has been holding the direct talks with Hamas in recent weeks in Doha, the sources said, confirming a report by Axios.

Until recently the US had avoided direct discussions with the group. The US State Department designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.

Such talks run counter to long-standing US policy against direct contacts with groups that Washington lists as terrorist organizations.

The previous US role in helping to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza war has been dealing with Israel and Qatari and Egyptian mediators but without any known direct communications between Washington and Hamas.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Boehler's office declined to comment.

It was unclear when or how the Israeli government was informed of the talks.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did representatives for Hamas.

The sources said the talks have focused on gaining the release of American hostages still held in Gaza, but one said they also have included discussions about a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and how to reach a long-term truce.

One of the sources said the effort includes an attempt to gain the release of Edan Alexander, of Tenafly, New Jersey, believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff plans to return to the region in coming days to work out a way to either extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal or advance to the second phase, a State Department spokesperson said on Monday.