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Morocco PM: Extending State of Emergency was a Difficult Decision

Morocco PM: Extending State of Emergency was a Difficult Decision
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Morocco PM: Extending State of Emergency was a Difficult Decision

Morocco PM: Extending State of Emergency was a Difficult Decision

Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El-Othmani said that extending the state of emergency during the coronavirus pandemic was a difficult decision that needed to be discussed with various sectors and experts in the country.

Othmani asserted that it was a health decision and not political, warning against destroying what was achieved if the decision to end COVID-19 lockdown was taken hastily.

The Prime Minister was speaking during the monthly accountability session in the House of Councilors (parliament’s second chamber), about the government's plan to revive the economy after lifting the quarantine.

The PM reviewed the government's plan to revive the economy, which will mainly maintain the purchasing power of citizens and support businesses by preparing a crisis management plan, among other measures.

He pointed out that the gradual reduction of lockdown measures came to avoid going “into a state of unknown,” urging critics to be patient and cautious “until we get out of the crisis in peace.”

The health measures taken by the government saved the life of 15,000 citizens, according to Othamni, adding that proceeding with the measures would enhance health security, which is essential to restore confidence in the economy.

Head of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) at the House of Councilors Abdelhamid Souiri said that the coronavirus pandemic revealed the strength of the state and its institutions.

However, Souiri pointed out that in order to enhance the confidence in the government’s measures, it should execute some of the commitments announced earlier, including the regulatory law on the right to protest.

Souiri also pointed out that the national enterprises are experiencing deep difficulties, especially in tourism and road transport, which makes it impossible to implement the five percent wages increase, which he proposed postponing till July 2021.

The government extended the state of health emergency until next July 10 to take exceptional measures to reduce the repercussions of COVID-19.

It also decided to gradually ease the quarantine measures according to zones and over phases, taking into account the evolution of the epidemiological indicators which have witnessed a positive trend to date.

The authorities will conduct a weekly evaluation of this scheme, under which additional measures will be taken to limit or increase quarantine measures if deemed necessary.

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Türkiye Denies Direct Talks with SDF, Demands Full Disarmament

Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)
Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)
TT
20
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Türkiye Denies Direct Talks with SDF, Demands Full Disarmament

Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)
Türkiye insists on the dissolution of the SDF, the departure of foreign fighters from Syria, and the integration of remaining members into the new army (Reuters)

Türkiye has denied holding any direct negotiations with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), asserting that no dialogue is possible unless the group dissolves itself and fully disarms.

Omer Celik, spokesperson and deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), firmly rejected recent reports and statements suggesting contacts between Turkish authorities and the SDF.

“No official meetings have taken place,” Celik stated Thursday, following a high-level party meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

His comments came in response to a recent interview with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, who claimed there had been direct contacts and expressed openness to meeting Erdogan. Without naming Abdi directly, Celik dismissed the notion that Türkiye had engaged with the SDF as though it were an independent entity. “It is unacceptable to frame the situation in that way,” he said.

Celik reiterated that any engagement would only be possible if the SDF disbands, lays down its arms, and ends its affiliation with the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which Ankara considers a terrorist organization. “If they disarm, then a meeting could be possible,” he added.

In recent days, several Western media outlets reported that US-mediated talks had taken place between Türkiye and the SDF. These reports claimed the discussions centered on reducing tensions, dissolving the SDF, and implementing a March agreement with the Syrian government that would see SDF fighters integrated into a new Syrian army and hand over ISIS-linked detainees and camps to Damascus.

While some reports hinted at a potential meeting between Abdi and either Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan or intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, Fidan denied such plans. He confirmed that Türkiye is working with both Washington and Damascus to implement the SDF’s military integration.

Celik also acknowledged an agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government that would see the SDF hand over territory to state control. He stated that all PKK elements, especially those from the YPG (the SDF’s leading faction), must leave the country.

Referring to a May 12 PKK statement titled “Dissolution of the PKK and Disarmament,” Celik stressed that Erdogan had made it clear that all PKK-affiliated structures, including the SDF, must be dismantled and disarmed.

“This is not about opposing Kurdish rights,” Celik concluded. “President Erdogan told Assad years ago: Give Kurds their rights like any other citizens. But we will never allow a terrorist state on our southern border.”