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Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff: Morocco Is a Major Partner to Washington

Milley speaks to the press in Rabat. (MAP)
Milley speaks to the press in Rabat. (MAP)
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Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff: Morocco Is a Major Partner to Washington

Milley speaks to the press in Rabat. (MAP)
Milley speaks to the press in Rabat. (MAP)

Morocco is a major partner and ally of the US and a stable country in a continent and region in search of stability, said Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Mark Milley during a visit to Rabat on Sunday.

The US views Morocco as a partner and great ally, not only in the region, but also in the entire African continent, he told the press.

He highlighted the depth of relations between the two countries for over two centuries, expressing his Washington’s willingness to consolidate and expand these relations with Morocco, which was the first country to recognize the independence of the US.

Milley also commended the strong, concrete, and excellent military relations between the US and Morocco, citing the "African Lion" exercises that have been taking place for nearly 20 years, as well as many other issues related to regional security.

Milley, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom, met Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defense Administration Abdeltif Loudyi.

They discussed bilateral relations between the US and Morocco and their strategic military partnership.

Loudyi highlighted to the tripartite declaration signed between Morocco, the US, and Israel in December 2020 that will strengthen peace and stability in North Africa and the Middle East.

Moreover, he praised Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s full sovereignty over the Sahara.

Milley later met with Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) and Commander of the Southern Zone.

The officials expressed their satisfaction with the positive results of the Defense Advisory Committee. They reiterated their willingness to further strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership between their militaries.

The meeting was attended by the Chiefs of the General Staff of the FAR, senior US military officials, and the Ambassador of the US accredited to Rabat.

This being his first visit to the African continent as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Milley took this opportunity to highlight the important role played by Morocco under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, as an actor of stability and peace in Africa and the Middle East.

At the end of this meeting, Milley and Loudyi reiterated their determination to consolidate the historic and exemplary partnership between their countries.

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Aoun Wants Formation of ‘Consensual’ Lebanese Govt Representing All Components

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
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Aoun Wants Formation of ‘Consensual’ Lebanese Govt Representing All Components

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is advocating the formation of a government of “consensus” that includes representatives from all political factions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has requested that parliamentary blocs submit non-partisan nominees for ministerial positions, emphasizing that they must not belong to any political party.

Aoun stressed on Tuesday that all components of society have the right to be represented in the government, parliament and public administration, as this is already practiced in the army.

“We have significant opportunities that we hope to seize by uniting all elements of Lebanese society—civil, spiritual, and political. Together, we can rebuild our nation,” he declared.

Highlighting the importance of meeting international expectations, Aoun hoped for the rapid formation of a government to achieve political, economic, and security stability, which would allow citizens “to live with dignity, not merely in relative comfort.”

During meetings with professional delegations at the Presidential Palace, Aoun said: “We are at a crossroads. Either we take advantage of the current circumstances and rise above sectarian, religious, and political divisions, or we head in a different direction and bear full responsibility for failing to fulfill our duties.”

Negotiations between Aoun, Salam, and political factions over the formation of a government are ongoing. The discussions, which kicked off last week, have reportedly made progress, with efforts directed toward expediting the government formation process, issuing decrees, preparing a ministerial statement, and securing its vote of confidence from lawmakers.

While the Shiite duo of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement appear to have finalized their proposed nominees for the government, disagreements over the ministerial statement remain.

MP Waddah Sadek, who is backed by the opposition, firmly rejected the inclusion of the “Army, People, Resistance” term in the statement. He declared: “No ‘blocking third’ in the government, and no unconstitutional gimmicks. The slogan of the new phase in Lebanon should be: the ‘Army, People, and State.’”

The Kataeb Party echoed this stance, stressing that Lebanon, emerging from a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, must align with the Aoun’s inaugural speech and Salam’s remarks by ensuring the ministerial statement exclusively underscores the state’s monopoly over arms and the defense of the nation.

“The government must act decisively, dismantle militias, strictly enforce the ceasefire, and uphold its provisions across all Lebanese territory,” it demanded.

The Kataeb Party also urged Aoun and Salam to resist the “great extortion” by Hezbollah and Amal to secure specific ministries or positions, in violation of the inaugural speech, calling instead for the application of uniform standards to ensure the government’s success.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah adopted a more confrontational tone.

MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, commented: “To those betting on Hezbollah’s weakness or the weakness of the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, what will you say when the government is formed? What will you say when you realize the strength of Hezbollah, the alliance, and the resistance’s supporters across all segments of Lebanese society? What will you say when you see the unwavering determination and unity of the resistance at every critical juncture?”