Morocco Recalls Its Ambassador to Berlin For Consultations

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita. Reuters file photo
Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita. Reuters file photo
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Morocco Recalls Its Ambassador to Berlin For Consultations

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita. Reuters file photo
Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita. Reuters file photo

Morocco recalled its ambassador to Berlin for consultations on Thursday in protest at what it described as Germany's "destructive attitude" towards Rabat's position on the Western Sahara issue.

It accused Germany of engaging in "antagonistic activism" after the United States in December recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.

In a statement, it also repeated a previous complaint that Germany had not invited it to a 2020 Berlin conference on Libya.

Morocco also said on Thursday that Germany had disclosed sensitive information provided by Moroccan security services to a convicted militant.

It condemned German authorities’ “complicity” with regards to the case of Mohamed Hajib, a former terrorism convict who lives in Germany.

Hajib has been living in the European country since 2017 after he spent seven years in a Moroccan prison for terror charges.

Tensions initially emerged between Morocco and Germany after Berlin refused to extradite Hajib who has published a series of videos on YouTube attacking Moroccan officials.

“For all these reasons and due to this constant and unacceptable hostility, the Kingdom of Morocco has decided to recall the Ambassador for consultation,” the Moroccan ministry said in a statement.

Notably, this comes few months after a letter was leaked online from Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to the rest of the Moroccan government ordering officials to suspend “all contact, interaction and cooperation” with the German Embassy and embassy-related activities.



EU Announces Aid for Syria and Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
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EU Announces Aid for Syria and Countries Hosting Syrian Refugees

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (SANA / AFP)

A top European Union official announced an aid package of 235 million euros ($244 million) for humanitarian needs within Syria and for countries in the region hosting displaced Syrians, especially Türkiye.

Speaking alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday during a visit to Ankara after her trip to Syria, Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, said that the situation in Syria was dire,

“The needs are dramatically immense. The humanitarian crisis is affecting millions of Syrians, and the EU will continue to work and to alleviate the suffering in response to the basic needs of the people," Lahbib said.

Türkiye hosts the world’s largest number of refugees, including up to 3 million Syrians.

“Türkiye’s hospitality for the Syrian refugees has been crucial over the years,” Lahbib said. “Türkiye’s role is crucial in providing humanitarian corridors for the EU to deliver emergency assistance to Syria.

“The region is in geopolitical turmoil, and it would be important for the European Union to work together with Türkiye and provide the adequate response by the international community.”