Abdelkrim Benatiq : Syrian refugees «have to pass through regular diplomatic channels»

Morocco will allow the stranded refugees in its borders enter its territory only if they «pass through the regular diplomatic channels», Middle East Monitor reports.

The Minister in Charge of Moroccans Residing Abroad and Migration, Abdelkrim Benatiq declared to the same source that : «The refugees have to go either through the Tunisian embassy or any other embassy in another country, and then we will process their case files in accordance with the immigration and asylum laws».

«If we allow the flow of illegal immigrants across the Moroccan-Algerian border which stretches over 1,560 kilometers, this will not be in the interest of any party. If some Syrian brothers already have families in Morocco, we have no objection to receiving them. They only have to pass through regular diplomatic channels»,  Benatiq insisted.

For the record, 55 Syrian refugees are stuck in the borders separating Algeria and Morocco near Figuig. They were trying to enter Morocco when the authorities prevented them from entering the country.  Moroccan authorities announced that  they «will grant entry visas to nine of the Syrians who have relatives living legally in Morocco».