Othmani: Securing Guerguerat Crossing Led to ‘Qualitative, Strategic Shift’

Saad Eddine El Othmani
Saad Eddine El Othmani
TT

Othmani: Securing Guerguerat Crossing Led to ‘Qualitative, Strategic Shift’

Saad Eddine El Othmani
Saad Eddine El Othmani

Morocco’s Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani has affirmed that securing Guerguerat crossing, on the borders between Morocco and Mauritania, was a correction of “an illegal situation on ground.”

He said this step contributes to consolidating the South-South cooperation in the framework of Morocco’s integration with its African economic and social environment.

Speaking at the House of Representatives (lower house) on the occasion of the monthly public policy session, Othmani pointed out that this event is a milestone in the history of the national cause because it brought about “a qualitative and strategic shift on ground.

Commenting on the Royal Armed Forces’ intervention in securing the border crossing after the Polisario Front obstructed the commercial movement there, the Premier stressed it was a correction of the situation after the Kingdom pledged to maintain the most possible self-control and has exhausted all possible means to force separatist militias to withdraw.

The operation came in line with the international legitimacy and in full respect for the Kingdom’s international obligations, including the UN-sponsored ceasefire agreement, to which Morocco is still adhered to.

Othmani hailed the support received by Morocco from several friendly countries and the opening of consulates in the Saharan regions, in what he considered “a practical translation of these countries’ conviction that Morocco is serious in its initiative to reach a political solution to the fabricated dispute over its Sahara region.”

“The inauguration of consulates and support for Guerguerat operation could be added to Morocco’s diplomatic victories.”

He also highlighted the development programs implemented by the country in its Sahara regions.

These include the 2016- 2021 development program, which includes program contracts to implement more than 700 projects with an initial total budget estimated at 77 billion dirhams ($7.7 billion).

The budget was later raised to 85 billion dirhams ($8.5 billion), which includes the completion of major programs, such as the highway, which links between Tiznit and Dakhla cities, along 1.055 km at a cost of 10 billion dirhams ($1 billion).

He also referred to 17.8 billion dirhams-worth ($1.78 billion) Phosboucraa industrial program in Laayoune, the wind and solar energy sites in Laayoune, Tarfaya, and Boujdour, with a total capacity of 600 megawatts at a cost of 8.7 billion dirhams ($870 million), as well as the Atlantic port of Dakhla at a cost of 10 billion dirhams ($1billion).



FM: Iraq Wants Iran-backed Factions to Lay Down Weapons

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison
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FM: Iraq Wants Iran-backed Factions to Lay Down Weapons

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison

Iraq is trying to convince powerful armed factions in the country that have fought US forces and fired rockets and drones at Israel to lay down their weapons or join official security forces, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said.

The push comes with a backdrop of seismic shifts in the Middle East that have seen Iran's armed allies in Gaza and Lebanon heavily degraded and Syria's government overthrown.

The incoming US Trump administration promises to pile more pressure on Tehran, which has long backed a number of political parties and an array of armed factions in Iraq.

Some Baghdad officials are concerned the status quo there may be upended next, but Hussein played this down in an interview with Reuters during an official visit to London.

"We don't think that Iraq is the next," Hussein said.

The government was in talks to rein in the groups while continuing to walk the tightrope between its ties to both Washington and Tehran, he said.
"Two or three years ago it was impossible to discuss this topic in our society," he said.

But now, having armed groups functioning outside the state was not acceptable.

"Many political leaders, many political parties started to raise a discussion, and I hope that we can convince the leaders of these groups to lay down their arms, and then to be part of the armed forces under the responsibility of the government," Hussein said.

Iraq's balancing act has been tested by Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups' attacks on Israel and on US troops in the country they say are in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war.

A promised Gaza ceasefire has the government breathing a sigh of relief, though uncertainty prevails over how the country may fare after Donald Trump becomes US president.

During the last Trump presidency, relations grew tense as he ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020, leading to an Iranian ballistic missile attack on an Iraqi base housing US forces.

"We hope that we can continue this good relationship with Washington," Hussein said. "It is too early now to talk about which policy President Trump is going to follow for Iraq or Iran."

Iraq will only be reassured about Syria when it sees an inclusive political process, Hussein said, adding Baghdad would supply the country with grain and oil once it could be assured it would go to all Syrians.
Baghdad was in talks with Syria's foreign minister over a visit to Iraq, he said.

"We are worried about the ISIS, so we are in contact with the Syrian side to talk about these things, but at the end to have a stable Syria means to have the representative of all components in the political process."

Baghdad and Washington last year agreed to end the US-led coalition's work by September 2026 and transition to bilateral military ties, but Hussein said that the developments in Syria would have to be watched.

"In the first place, we are thinking about security of Iraq and stability in Iraq. If there will be a threat to our country, of course it will be a different story," he said.