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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)
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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.

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Arab World

Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
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Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Friday that Iraq has received explicit threats from Israel, adding that the country’s armed forces have been instructed by the prime minister to prevent any attacks originating from Iraqi territory.

According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed the armed forces to take action against anyone launching attacks from the country. The foreign minister emphasized that Iraq does not seek war and aims to avoid its dangers, noting that the region is “on fire” and facing “clear threats from Israel.”

The agency also reported that the Iraqi government has requested an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council to address Israeli threats. Iraq’s permanent representative to the Arab League submitted a request for a session at the level of permanent representatives of member states to confront what was described as menaces from the “Zionist entity.”

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that he had sent a message to the president of the UN Security Council urging immediate action against activities of Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Sa’ar asserted that the Iraqi government bears responsibility for any actions occurring within or emanating from its territory.

Meanwhile, Iraqi officials have expressed pessimism about the outcome of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, they emphasized Baghdad’s commitment to supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.

Speaking at the American University Forum in Duhok on Friday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani highlighted that the challenges facing Iraq have fundamentally changed since October 7.

He described the current situation in the Middle East as a “second Nakba”, stressing that the challenges stem from the failure of the international system, which he described as “ambiguous.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid stated that Iraq would play its role in promoting peace in the Middle East and expressed his full support for efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Türkiye.

Speaking at the Duhok Forum, Rashid said that Iraq and the region are facing circumstances that require all parties to closely monitor the situation and find appropriate solutions to ongoing problems, emphasizing the need for lasting peace and security.

Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, called for Iraq to remain neutral in the conflict, saying: “The crises in the region and the scenes of war in Lebanon and Gaza are tragic. We hope this suffering will come to an end.”

“We are all awaiting changes following the US presidential election. All indications suggest that a Trump administration will adopt a different approach compared to President Biden’s policies,” he added.

The Iraqi government has stated that under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with the United States, Washington is responsible for “deterring and responding to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.”

According to media reports, the US has informed Baghdad that Israeli military strikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless Baghdad prevents Iran-backed factions from launching attacks against Israel.