Morocco, US Discuss Cooperation in Security, Regional Defense

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)
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Morocco, US Discuss Cooperation in Security, Regional Defense

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken held a telephone conversation with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, during which he praised Morocco's commitment to peace and security in the Middle East region.

Blinken tweeted that they discussed the strong bilateral, regional security and defense cooperation.

"We also discussed my recent trip and meetings with Egyptian, Israeli, and Palestinian leaders."

A statement by the US State Department spokesman Ned Price stated that Blinken, who is on tour in the Middle East, discussed with Bourita "shared priorities in the bilateral relationship and efforts to advance regional stability."

Blinken and Bourita also discussed his recent travel and engagements with Egyptian, Israeli, and Palestinian leaders, during which he called for de-escalation and an end to the cycle of violence.

The Secretary commended the Foreign Minister for Morocco's commitment to promoting peace and security in the region, including Morocco's participation in the Negev Forum.

Earlier, the US commended Morocco's role, under King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the al-Quds Committee, in supporting the Palestinian people and advancing a two-state solution and peace in the Middle East region.

Price indicated, during a press conference at the Washington Foreign Press Center, that Morocco has a unique relationship with the Palestinians.

"We appreciate Morocco's role in providing aid and assistance to the Palestinian people and to supporting a two-state solution, something that, of course, is at the center of all of our efforts in the region as well," asserted Price.



UK Police Ban Palestine Action Protest Outside Parliament

File photo: People take part in a march in support of the Palestinian people and against Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in Rabat, Morocco, 22 June 2025.  EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
File photo: People take part in a march in support of the Palestinian people and against Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in Rabat, Morocco, 22 June 2025. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
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UK Police Ban Palestine Action Protest Outside Parliament

File photo: People take part in a march in support of the Palestinian people and against Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in Rabat, Morocco, 22 June 2025.  EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
File photo: People take part in a march in support of the Palestinian people and against Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in Rabat, Morocco, 22 June 2025. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI

British police have banned campaign group Palestine Action from protesting outside parliament on Monday, a rare move that comes after two of its members broke into a military base last week and as the government considers banning the organization.

The group said in response that it had changed the location of its protest on Monday to Trafalgar Square, which lies just outside the police exclusion zone, reported Reuters.

The pro-Palestinian organization is among groups that have regularly targeted defense firms and other companies in Britain linked to Israel since the start of the conflict in Gaza.

British media have reported that the government is considering proscribing, or effectively banning, Palestine Action, as a terrorist organization, putting it on a par with al-Qaeda or ISIS.

London's Metropolitan Police said late on Sunday that it would impose an exclusion zone for a protest planned by Palestine Action outside the Houses of Parliament - a popular location for protests in support of a range of causes.

"The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it, but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest," Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said.

"We have laid out to Government the operational basis on which to consider proscribing this group."

Palestine Action's members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and, in the incident last week, damaged two military aircraft, Rowley added.