Morocco’s PM Launches Consultations Ahead of Expected Cabinet Reshuffle

FILE PHOTO - Saad Eddine El Othmani gives a speech in Rabat, March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer
FILE PHOTO - Saad Eddine El Othmani gives a speech in Rabat, March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer
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Morocco’s PM Launches Consultations Ahead of Expected Cabinet Reshuffle

FILE PHOTO - Saad Eddine El Othmani gives a speech in Rabat, March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer
FILE PHOTO - Saad Eddine El Othmani gives a speech in Rabat, March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer

Moroccan Prime Minster Saad Eddine El Othmani has launched consultations with political parties representing the parliamentary majority over an upcoming cabinet reshuffle, the government spokesman, Mustapha El Khalfi, said.

El Othmani will study a list of proposals, El Khalfi said Thursday in his briefing to reporters after the cabinet session.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI said in July that he asked the prime minister to submit to him, after the summer break, proposals to fill executive posts in the government and the civil service with high-level national elites chosen on merit and competence.

In a speech marking twenty years of his rule, the King said certain projects and reforms require new leaders in decision-making positions.

According to the prime minister, a reform in the education sector aims to improve the quality of education.

In remarks made during the cabinet session Thursday, El Othmani said there is an agreement with the education minister to implement the sector’s reforms in line with the government’s strategic vision.



EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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EU’s Borrell Urges Israel to Accept Lebanon Ceasefire ‘Today’

 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

The European Union's foreign policy chief urged the Israeli government on Tuesday to back a proposed ceasefire deal in Lebanon which he said has all the necessary security guarantees for Israel.

Speaking at a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Italy, Josep Borrell said there was no excuse for not implementing the deal with Iran-backed Hezbollah, adding pressure should be exerted on Israel to approve it immediately.

"Let's hope that today (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu will approve the ceasefire agreement proposed by the US and France. No more excuses. No more additional requests," Borrell said, criticizing hard-line Israeli ministers who have spoken against the deal.

Israel looks set to approve a US plan for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official said.

Borrell, who said he discussed prospects for a deal in a recent trip to Lebanon, said one of the sticking points was whether France should be included in a committee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire, which the US is due to chair.

He said the Lebanese have specifically asked for France's involvement, but the Israelis have misgivings.

"This is one of the points that are still missing," he said.

Borrell also criticized what he saw as Western double standards on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and a Hamas leader, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.

"You cannot applaud when the court goes against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and remain silent when the court goes against Netanyahu," he said, urging European Union member states to support the ICC.

Italy, which holds the G7 presidency, said on Monday it was trying to broker a common position for the group on the ICC decision, but progress is hard since the US has said it does not recognizethe jurisdiction of the court and opposes the arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

The G7 comprises the US, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Canada and Japan.