CIA Director Visits Morocco to Assess Security Threats of Terrorist Organizations

Morocco's Director General of Territory Surveillance (DGST) Abdellatif Hammouchi, with the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns (MAP)
Morocco's Director General of Territory Surveillance (DGST) Abdellatif Hammouchi, with the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns (MAP)
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CIA Director Visits Morocco to Assess Security Threats of Terrorist Organizations

Morocco's Director General of Territory Surveillance (DGST) Abdellatif Hammouchi, with the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns (MAP)
Morocco's Director General of Territory Surveillance (DGST) Abdellatif Hammouchi, with the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns (MAP)

Morocco's Director General of Territory Surveillance (DGST) Abdellatif Hammouchi met on Friday with Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns at his office in Rabat.

The meeting focused on assessing the security situation and the associated risks at the regional levels and reviewed the security threats and challenges resulting from the tense situation in some regions of the world.

Burns was accompanied by some of his senior aides and the US ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar.

They also discussed the anticipated risks of terrorist organizations, especially in the Sahel-Sahara region.

The DGST stated that this meeting falls within the bilateral meetings between the two parties and constitutes an opportunity to follow up on the implementation of the outputs of the working visit Hammouchi made to the US.

During his visit to Washington, Hammouchi met the Director of US National Intelligence, Avril Haines, Burns, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, Christopher Wray.

The statement concluded that Burns' visit to Rabat reflects the strength and depth of strategic cooperation, security, and intelligence coordination between the DGST and the CIA at the regional and international levels.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."