Algeria Condemns Moroccan Statement on Kabyle People's Right to Self-determination

Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
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Algeria Condemns Moroccan Statement on Kabyle People's Right to Self-determination

Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)

Algeria strongly denounced the statement of the permanent Moroccan representative to the UN, in which he declared the support for the "Kabyle people's right to self-determination."

Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN said the Kabyle people have the right to self-determination, describing them as "one of the oldest peoples in Africa, who are under the longest foreign occupation."

In response, the Foreign Ministry said it has the right to receive clarification of the final position of the Kingdom of Morocco regarding this extremely dangerous incident.

The ambassador added that "the Kabyle people deserve to enjoy their right to self-determination fully."

The Ministry announced that the Moroccan diplomatic representation in New York handed an official memorandum to all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement, the content of which is "officially devoted to demonstrating the Kingdom of Morocco's involvement in an anti-Algeria campaign."

It denounced the public and explicit support for the right of alleged self-determination of the Kabyle people who, according to the memorandum, "suffered the longest state of foreign occupation."

Earlier, during a virtual meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Azerbaijan, the Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra, discussed the Sahara conflict.

The statement considered this memorandum to be a "recognition of the multifaceted Moroccan support currently provided to a well-known terrorist group," referring to the separatist Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), which Algeria recently designated as a terrorist group, along with the Rachad Movement.

Algeria described the Moroccan diplomatic statement as: "Reckless, irresponsible and manipulative."

It stressed that it is "part of a short-sighted, reductive and futile attempt aimed at creating a shameful confusion between the issue of decolonization recognized as such by the international community and what is a mere conspiracy plotted against the unity of the Algerian nation."

The Moroccan statement directly contradicts the "principles and agreements that structure and inspire Algeria-Morocco relations, in addition to flagrantly contradicting international law and the constitutive law of the African Union," according to Algeria.

The Foreign Ministry's statement concluded by saying that in light of this situation arising from a dubious diplomatic act carried out by an ambassador, Algeria, which is a sovereign and indivisible republic, has the right to receive clarification of the final position of Morocco regarding this extremely dangerous incident.

The National Liberation Front issued a statement noting that the Moroccan memo "requires broad and urgent national action to deter any attempt to undermine Algeria's unity and territorial integrity."

It called on parties and associations to enhance national cohesion and support state institutions in these challenging circumstances.

For its part, the Democratic National Rally, a government member, denounced such a plan to undermine Algeria's stability, saying it officially involved Morocco in a campaign hostile to the nation.

The Islamic National Construction Movement described the Moroccan memo as "a declaration of war against every Algerian," calling for a quick and equal response from the state and its sovereign institutions.

The movement indicated that the situation requires immediate support and unity of all institutions and parties, putting all political differences aside.



Aoun Condemns Attempts to Drag Lebanon Anew into Violence

FILED - 17 January 2025, Lebanon, Baabda: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference at Baabda Palace. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 17 January 2025, Lebanon, Baabda: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference at Baabda Palace. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
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Aoun Condemns Attempts to Drag Lebanon Anew into Violence

FILED - 17 January 2025, Lebanon, Baabda: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference at Baabda Palace. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 17 January 2025, Lebanon, Baabda: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks during a press conference at Baabda Palace. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned on Saturday Israel’s attempts to drag Lebanon once again into the endless “spiral of violence”, following Israeli claims that it had intercepted three missiles launched from south Lebanon.
A statement released by the Lebanese Presidency said that Aoun called for "avoiding any repercussions and ensuring control over any violations that could endanger the nation during these sensitive times."
Aoun has directed the Army Commander, General Rodolphe Haikal, to “take all necessary field measures to ensure the safety of citizens and conduct investigations regarding the incident”, added the statement.
Also in a statement, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, asked the Lebanese military to take all necessary measures in the south, but said the country did not want to return to war.
He reaffirmed that “only the state holds the authority to decide on matters of war and peace."
The Prime Minister also contacted Janine Plasschaert, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Representative in Lebanon, during which he urged the United Nations to "intensify international pressure on Israel to fully withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories”.
He emphasized that Israel’s “occupation violates UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire arrangements established by the previous government in November, to which Lebanon remains committed".

On Saturday, Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, a clash endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

That conflict marked the deadliest spillover of the Gaza war, rumbling across the border for months before escalating into a blistering Israeli offensive that wiped out Hezbollah's top commanders, many of its fighters and much of its arsenal.