On Monday, several news platforms reported, quoting well-informed sources, that the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to Morocco Ali Salem Al Kaabi has been recalled by his country’s authorities.
According to Arabic-language newspaper Akhbar Alyaoum, the Emirati ambassador, appointed in February 2018, left the Kingdom last week, responding to a «sovereign decision taken by his country». «For the moment, authorities in the United Arab Emirates have not commented on this move», sources told the same newspaper.
Contacted by Yabiladi on Tuesday, the UAE Foreign Affairs Ministry refused to comment on the information, preferring to let its embassy in Rabat respond to questions related to the matter. The latter couldn’t be reached for comment.
Contacted by Yabiladi this morning, diplomatic sources in Rabat couldn’t confirm the information relayed by several Middle Eastern newspapers.
It is not the first time that reports suggest that Abu Dhabi has recalled its ambassador to the Kingdom. In February, and after Saudi-owned pan-Arab television news channel Al Arabiya broadcast a report on Western Sahara, reports alleged that Morocco recalled its ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Reports that were later denied by the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita.
According to Qatari TV channel Al Jazeera, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly recalled their ambassadors for consultations during the same period.
The diplomatic crisis between the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, which has lasted for several months, was confirmed last week when Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister toured Gulf countries without visiting Abu Dhabi.