Morocco Welcomes Peru's Decision to Withdraw Recognition of SADR

Morocco welcomes Peru’s decision to withdraw recognition of the Polisario’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. (Getty Images)
Morocco welcomes Peru’s decision to withdraw recognition of the Polisario’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. (Getty Images)
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Morocco Welcomes Peru's Decision to Withdraw Recognition of SADR

Morocco welcomes Peru’s decision to withdraw recognition of the Polisario’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. (Getty Images)
Morocco welcomes Peru’s decision to withdraw recognition of the Polisario’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. (Getty Images)

Morocco welcomed on Thursday Peru’s decision to withdraw recognition of the Polisario’s self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

Peru announced the decision after a "recent telephone conversation" between Foreign Minister Miguel Rodriguez Mackay and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita.

Lima and Rabat "agreed to strengthen their bilateral relations through the immediate signing of a multisectoral roadmap that will include regular political consultations, effective cooperation in the economic, commercial, educational, energy and agricultural fields," a statement by Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs read.

Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Rabat "welcomes the decision of the Republic of Peru to withdraw its recognition of the pseudo 'SADR' and to support the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and its autonomy initiative."

The Kingdom said the move opens a new page in relations with Peru.

It will allow the deepening of political dialogue and strengthen cooperation, especially in the areas of agriculture and fertilizers.

Many countries have withdrawn their recognition of SADR, the ministry recalled, siting King Mohammed VI's efforts in that regard.

Of the 193 member countries of the United Nations, 84 percent do not recognize the so-called republic that was declared in 1976.

A Sahrawi soldier waves the Sahrawi flag during a parade marking the 45th anniversary of the declaration of the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SDAR), at a refugee camp on the outskirts of Tindouf, Algeria, on Feb. 27, 2021. (AFP Photo)



Series of Israeli Airstrikes Rock Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Series of Israeli Airstrikes Rock Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A fresh wave of air raids hit Beirut's southern suburbs in the early hours of Saturday as Israel stepped up attacks on Hezbollah, after a massive strike on the group’s command center that apparently targeted its leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Media reports said there were more than 40 separate airstrikes before dawn on Saturday. Fires raged from several locations, and smoke and flames were seen from above Beirut.

The Israeli military has made several evacuation orders.

Heavy strikes shook southern Beirut on Friday too. There was no immediate confirmation of Nasrallah's fate. The Lebanese armed group did not make a statement.

Instead, it announced that it had launched a salvo of rockets at the Israeli city of Safed, which it said was “in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli violation of cities, villages and civilians.” The Israeli military said a house and a car in Safed were hit, and officials said a 68-year-old woman suffered mild shrapnel wounds.

The site hit Friday evening had not been publicly known as Hezbollah’s main headquarters, though it is located in the group’s “security quarters,” a heavily guarded part of Haret Hreik where it has offices and runs several nearby hospitals.

More than 720 people have been killed in Lebanon this week, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel has dramatically escalated strikes, saying it is targeting Hezbollah’s military capacities and senior Hezbollah commanders.