Morocco Welcomes Positive Statements of New German Government

Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (MAP)
Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (MAP)
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Morocco Welcomes Positive Statements of New German Government

Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (MAP)
Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch (MAP)

Morocco has welcomed the positive statements and constructive stances recently expressed by the new Federal Government of Germany.

In a statement, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry said that it welcomed the "positive statements...which bode well for a resumption of bilateral cooperation and a return to normalcy in the work of diplomatic representations of the two countries in Berlin and Rabat".

"The Kingdom of Morocco hopes that actions will back these statements up to reflect a new state of mind and mark a new beginning in the relationship based on clarity and mutual respect."

In March, Rabat suspended contacts with the German embassy over "deep misunderstandings" on "issues fundamental for Morocco." It ordered all government departments and bodies to abstain from cooperating with the German mission and political organizations.

In May, it recalled its ambassador for consultations and accused Germany of unspecified "antagonistic activism" after the United States in December 2020 recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.

"The Federal Republic of Germany exacerbated hostile acts that are detrimental to the higher interests of the Kingdom of Morocco," read the statement.

The same statement added that the "German authorities act with complicity towards an individual formerly convicted of acts of terror, by disclosing sensitive information communicated by the Moroccan security services to their German counterparts."

The statement referred to radical Islamist Mohamed Hajib, a former detainee who spent seven years in prison on terrorism cases. Hajib is a German national and currently resides in Germany.

Berlin rejected Rabat's request to extradite Hajib through Interpol.

In January, Germany excluded Morocco from attending Berlin Conference on Libya.

The Ministry stressed that Morocco has always been at the forefront of international efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis, questioning Berlin's decision.

Later, Morocco rejected the invitation to participate in the Berlin II Conference on Libya, held in October.



Polls Open in Jordan’s Parliamentary Elections 

A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)
A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)
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Polls Open in Jordan’s Parliamentary Elections 

A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)
A Jordanian voter casts his ballot at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Amman, Jordan September 10, 2024. (Reuters)

Polling stations opened at across Jordan on Tuesday in the country’s 20th parliamentary elections, marking a significant milestone as the Kingdom embarks on its second century.

More than 5.1 million registered voters are eligible to participate, reflecting a broad engagement in the political process, reported the state news agency Petra.

People will cast their votes at 1,649 polling stations across 18 electoral districts, with 5,843 ballot boxes set up. Ninety-five centers have been specially equipped to accommodate voters with disabilities.

Jordan’s electoral system divides the Kingdom into 18 local districts, with 97 seats available for contest. Candidates in the general electoral district will compete for 41 seats, bringing the total number of parliamentary seats to 138.

A total of 697 candidates are running in the general electoral district, including 505 men and 192 women. In the local districts, 937 candidates are competing, with 747 men and 190 women.

Voting will close at 7:00 pm. The counting of votes will begin immediately after the polls close, with results expected within 48 hours.