عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Algerian Sources: Mending Ties with Morocco Not Possible at Arab Summit

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra gives a joint press conference with the Finnish Foreign Minister (not in picture) during a Nordic-African Foreign Ministers' meeting in Helsinki on June 14, 2022. (AFP)
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra gives a joint press conference with the Finnish Foreign Minister (not in picture) during a Nordic-African Foreign Ministers' meeting in Helsinki on June 14, 2022. (AFP)
TT
TT

Algerian Sources: Mending Ties with Morocco Not Possible at Arab Summit

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra gives a joint press conference with the Finnish Foreign Minister (not in picture) during a Nordic-African Foreign Ministers' meeting in Helsinki on June 14, 2022. (AFP)
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra gives a joint press conference with the Finnish Foreign Minister (not in picture) during a Nordic-African Foreign Ministers' meeting in Helsinki on June 14, 2022. (AFP)

Political sources in Algeria ruled out the possibility of reconciliation between Algeria and Morocco during the upcoming Arab Summit in Algiers.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra discussed with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit the preparations for the summit that is scheduled for November.

Recent media reports had spoken of the the possibility that the ties would be restored during the summit.

Government sources dismissed the reports, saying the ties have deteriorated and it is difficult to imagine restoring them at this time.

Algeria severed ties with Morocco in August, accusing it of supporting two organizations it described as "terrorist" and which it blamed for a series of fires in the Kabylia region last summer.

Ahead of his trip to Algeria, Aboul Gheit told Egyptian media that the Arab League had "no intention" of mediating between the two Maghreb countries.

Aboul Gheit's assistant Hossam Zaki said the organization was not seeking a reconciliation before the summit.

He remarked that the situation is unique and the League will not be interfering unless required, adding there were no plans to postpone the summit.

"Preparations are underway […], and there are some pending issues, especially concerning the situation in Morocco and Algeria," he added, urging "everyone to work to improve the Arab environment."

The Algerian Foreign Ministry said talks between Aboul Gheit and Lamamra addressed all aspects of the arrangements related to the summit and international issues of concern to Arab affairs.

Algeria chose November 1 and 2 to hold the summit, coinciding with the anniversary of its revolution against French colonialism.

It is seeking the return of Syria to the Arab League, calling on the Arab countries to support its position.

Last year, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said: "Syria is supposed to be present at the Arab summit."

After the outbreak of the crisis in Syria in 2011, Algeria was hesitant to freeze Damascus' membership, and it did not recall its ambassador from Damascus.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
TT
TT

Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.