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US Ambassador Says Washington, Rabat Share Solid Cooperation against Terror

David Fischer, US ambassador to Rabat, and his wife Jennifer stand before a US State Department-authorized map of Morocco recognizing Western Sahara as a part of the North African Kingdom, in Morocco's capital Rabat on December 12, 2020. [AFP via Getty Images]
David Fischer, US ambassador to Rabat, and his wife Jennifer stand before a US State Department-authorized map of Morocco recognizing Western Sahara as a part of the North African Kingdom, in Morocco's capital Rabat on December 12, 2020. [AFP via Getty Images]
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US Ambassador Says Washington, Rabat Share Solid Cooperation against Terror

David Fischer, US ambassador to Rabat, and his wife Jennifer stand before a US State Department-authorized map of Morocco recognizing Western Sahara as a part of the North African Kingdom, in Morocco's capital Rabat on December 12, 2020. [AFP via Getty Images]
David Fischer, US ambassador to Rabat, and his wife Jennifer stand before a US State Department-authorized map of Morocco recognizing Western Sahara as a part of the North African Kingdom, in Morocco's capital Rabat on December 12, 2020. [AFP via Getty Images]

US Ambassador David Fischer has said that Morocco and the United States share a solid and long-term cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

The two countries are joining efforts to protect their national security interests, Fischer said, adding that Morocco is a “key” partner in security-related issues.

The ambassador recalled the 10-year defense cooperation roadmap which was signed last October between Morocco and the US. He also said Rabat participates each year in more than 100 military commitments with the US.

The opening by the US of a consulate in the city of Dakhla will help support and encourage investment in the region, he stated.

The American consulate in Dakhla "will make it possible to support and encourage investment and development projects which will bring concrete benefits" for the populations, particularly those in the Sahara provinces, Fischer pointed out in an interview with Morocco’s state news agency, MAP.

The US diplomat underlined that the opening will allow the US to take greater advantage of Morocco's strategic location as a hub for trade in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

He highlighted the "daring" leadership of King Mohammed VI who was able to position, with expertise, Morocco as "the economic gateway" to Africa, thanks to free trade agreements signed with countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Fischer also stressed that Morocco is the only country in Africa linked to the US by a free trade agreement.

The historic US decision to recognize the full sovereignty of Morocco over the Sahara was announced Thursday during a telephone call between King Mohammed VI and US President Donald Trump.

As the first result of this sovereign initiative of great importance, the US decided to open a consulate in Dakhla to encourage American investments and to contribute to economic and social development, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the southern provinces.

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Arab World

Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says

Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
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Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says

Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Syria will start swapping old banknotes for new ones under a ​plan to replace Assad-era notes starting from January 1, 2026, Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh said on Thursday.

Husrieh announced the introduction of the new Syrian currency, saying the decree "sets January ‌1, 2026, ‌as the start date ‌for ⁠the ​exchange ‌process". Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters in August that the country will issue new banknotes, removing two zeros from its currency in an attempt to restore ⁠public confidence in the severely devalued pound.

The ‌step is intended ‍to strengthen ‍the Syrian pound after its purchasing ‍power collapsed to record lows following a 14-year conflict that ended with President Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December.

Husrieh ​said the operation will take place through a smooth and orderly ⁠swap - a move bankers hope will ease fears that the new currency could fuel inflation and further erode the purchasing power of Syrians already reeling from high prices.

He added that a press conference will soon outline the exact regulations and mechanisms.

Arab World

Türkiye Begins Black Box Analysis of Jet Crash That Killed Libyan Military Chief and 7 Others

Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
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Türkiye Begins Black Box Analysis of Jet Crash That Killed Libyan Military Chief and 7 Others

Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)

The technical analysis of the recovered black boxes from a jet crash that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, began as the investigation proceeded in cooperation with Libyan authorities, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

The private jet with Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, four other military officials and three crew members crashed on Tuesday after taking off from Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, killing everyone on board. Libyan officials said the cause of the crash was a technical malfunction on the plane.

The high-level Libyan delegation was on its way back to Tripoli after holding defense talks in Ankara aimed at boosting military cooperation between the two countries.

The wreckage was scattered across an area covering 3 square kilometers (more than a square mile), complicating recovery efforts, according to the Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

A 22-person delegation, including five family members, arrived from Libya early on Wednesday to assist in the investigation.

Arab World

Lebanese President: We are Determined to Hold Parliamentary Elections on Time

President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
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Lebanese President: We are Determined to Hold Parliamentary Elections on Time

President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated on Thursday that the country’s parliamentary elections are a constitutional obligation that must be carried out on time.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency quoted Aoun as saying that he, alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, is determined to hold the elections on schedule.

Aoun also emphasized that diplomatic efforts have continued unabated to keep the specter of war at bay, noting that "things are heading in a positive direction".

The agency also cited Berri reaffirming that the elections will take place as planned, with "no delays, no extensions".

The Lebanese parliamentary elections are scheduled for May next year.