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'African Lion' Maneuvers to Include Western Sahara

An illustration of the regions and countries participating in the African Lion exercises (MAP)
An illustration of the regions and countries participating in the African Lion exercises (MAP)
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'African Lion' Maneuvers to Include Western Sahara

An illustration of the regions and countries participating in the African Lion exercises (MAP)
An illustration of the regions and countries participating in the African Lion exercises (MAP)

Morocco announced that the US-Moroccan “African Lion 2021” maneuvers that will kick off on Monday will include Western Sahara.


This comes four days after the US Department of Defense denied an earlier Moroccan statement indicating that part of the "African Lion 2021" will take place in the region.

"Exercise locations are spread mainly across Morocco, from Kenitra Air Base in the north to Tan Tan and Guerir Labouhi training complex in the south," the Pentagon statement said.

The statement pointed out that the US and Moroccan parties, who prepared for these maneuvers, decided to "use the sites proposed at the beginning of the planning cycle in the summer of 2020", that is, months before US President Donald Trump announced in December 2020 his recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

The drills, which will last till June 18, will take place in Agadir, Tifnit, Tan Tan, Mehbes, Tafraout, Ben Guerir, and Kenitra, with the participation of thousands of troops from several countries and a large number of land, air, and sea equipment, according to the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (RAF).

In addition to the US and Morocco, the 17th edition of this exercise will see the participation of the UK, Brazil, Canada, Tunisia, Senegal, the Netherlands, Italy as well as the NATO and military observers from 30 countries representing Africa, Europe, and the US.

The exercise, one of the major combined exercises in the world, aims to strengthen the maneuver capabilities, consolidate interoperability between participants in the planning and conduct of joint operations in a coalition framework, as well as perfecting tactics, techniques and procedures.

It also aims to develop cyber defense skills, train the air component in supporting and air refueling operations, consolidate cooperation in maritime security, conduct exercises of naval tactics and conventional warfare, and carry out humanitarian activities.

It will also include training and simulations in command activities and combat operations against violent terrorist organizations, as well as nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical decontamination exercises.

A field medico-surgical hospital will be established at Amlen where medical teams of doctors and nurses from the FAR and the US Army will provide medical and surgical services for locals.

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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to kick off parliamentary consultations to form a new government.

He assured that it will “not exclude anyone”, but seek “unity and partnership.”

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that President Joseph Aoun is leading efforts to avert a Shiite boycott of the new government after the “Shiite duo” of the Hezbollah and Amal movement, which is led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, refrained from naming Salam for the position of PM during Monday’s consultations.

Their abstention has raised fears that the new government will not be constitutional without the representation of the largest Shiite parties in the country.

Reports have said that the duo may boycott the parliamentary consultations to form a government that Salam will hold on Wednesday.

Sources said the duo may skip the first day of talks, which will conclude on Thursday, to demonstrate its “annoyance” with the developments.

Berri, however, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “situation is not that negative”. He did not elaborate on the duo’s next steps.

Moreover, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that French President Macron had even intervened to avoid a dispute over the government, holding telephone talks with Aoun and Berri.

Salam’s appointment as prime minister came as a major shock given the large number of votes he won from the parliamentary blocs, compared to his predecessor Najib Mikati and against the will of the Shiite duo. In past years, Hezbollah has repeatedly blocked Salam from becoming prime minister.

Aoun stressed the need to “avoid placing obstacles in the government formation process.”

Aoun held a meeting with Salam at the presidential palace on Tuesday before later being joined by Berri, who left the palace without making a statement.

After the talks, Salam spoke before reporters to express his gratitude to parliament and the people for entrusting him with the “difficult task of serving Lebanon” and “achieving the people’s dreams.”

“It is time to open a new chapter that is rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunity, so that Lebanon can be a nation of free people who are equal under their rights,” he added.

On the possible boycott of the Shiite duo, he said he was against exclusion and on the contrary supported unity. “This is my sincere call, and my hands are extended to everyone,” he added.

The formation of a government in Lebanon often takes months due to political wrangling.

Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon has a “very major opportunity that we should all seize.”

He received a delegation from the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council.

“Obstacles must not be placed in the formation process,” he urged. “We must send positive signals to the international community that Lebanon can govern itself, carry out reconstruction transparently and build the state that we are all calling for.”

“If one segment of Lebanon is broken, then the whole country will break,” he stressed, saying Monday’s consultations to appoint Salam were a democratic process and that the public interest remains the top priority.

Aoun, who was elected last week, added that he has declined visits from well-wishers over his election “out of respect for the martyrs” who were killed during Israel’s war on Lebanon, which ended with a ceasefire in November.