Dutch-Moroccan ex-anti-terrorism official denies «spying for Morocco», seeks PM's testimony  (Read more...)

Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani condemns killing of Scandinavian tourists 

Head of government Saadeddine El Othmani condemned, Thursday in Rabat, the despicable criminal act of murdering two foreign tourists in Imlil, in the province of Al Haouz. Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, El Othmani said that Morocco flatly condemns this appalling crime, a rejected act that runs counter the Moroccan values and customs, as well as the traditions of the region where the crime took place. He extended, on this occasion, his heartfelt condolences to the families of the two

Suspects in killing of two Scandinavian tourists pledge allegiance to ISIS in a video

Four suspects in the killing of the two Scandinavian tourists near Imlil have pledged allegiance to ISIS in a video that was shared Thursday, December the 20th, on social media.   Seated beneath a black flag that represents the «Islamic state», the four alleged terrorists told the camera that the self-proclaimed «Caliph», Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has «Moroccan soldiers». With a knife in the hand, one of the four men criticized Morocco and foreign tourists

Murder in Imlil : Denmark and Norway advise their citizens against hiking alone in Morocco

Danish and Norwegian authorities have «advised their citizens» against hiking alone in Morocco after two Scandinavian mountaineers were murdered near Imlil before climbing Mount Toubkal, reports American news agency Associated Press (AP). On Thursday, the Danish intelligence services (PET) confirmed that a video that was circulating on social media has been authenticated. The latter depicted the murder of one of the two Scandinavian tourists, said AFP. Authorities in Morocco

Imlil murders : Danish agents backtrack on graphic footage's authentication

After announcing earlier on Thursday, December the 20th, that it «had authenticated» a graphic video allegedly depicting the murder of one of the two Scandinavian tourists, the Danish Intelligence services (PET) «rowed back» in a communiqué released on the same day, the Guardian says. PET said that said video is still being «examined», added the same source. Meanwhile in Morocco, the Public Prosecutor's office announced Wednesday that the video,

Scandinavian tourists killed in Imlil : The three wanted suspects arrested in Marrakech

The three suspects, allegedly involved in the murder of the two Scandinavian tourists near Imlil, were arrested Thursday, December the 20th, announced the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) in a communiqué made public this morning. According to the same source, the three men, who are suspected of participating to the criminal events, were arrested in Marrakech and are currently investigated by the authorities to determine the reasons behind the murder. The first suspect

UNGA endorses Marrakech Global Compact on Migration, congratulates Morocco

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted on Wednesday, by an overwhelming majority, a resolution endorsing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, henceforth known as the Marrakech Compact on Migration. The document was adopted on December, 10, at the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on Migration, held in Marrakech. Speaking during the voting session of the resolution, President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, reiterated her

Illegal migration : Royal navy assists 196 Sub-Saharan nationals off Nador

The royal navy coast guard, while patrolling off the city of Nador, assisted on Dec. 19 around 196 Sub-Saharan would-be immigrants, including women and children, a military source said. The immigrants were boarding four inflatable boats, it said, adding that they all were brought safe and sound to the port of Nador.

Scandinavian tourists murdered in Imlil : Killings may be terror-related

The Public Prosecutor in Rabat's appeal court announced in a communiqué issued Wednesday, December the 14th, that one of the suspects allegedly involved in the murder of the two Scandinavian tourists «belongs to a terrorist group». The same statement indicated that the other suspects allegedly involved in the crime has been identified by investigators and that they are still on the run. The Public Prosecutor's office stressed that a video that contains graphic and

China Cultural Center officially inaugurated in Rabat

China Cultural Center was officially inaugurated Tuesday, December the 18th, in Rabat, says MAP news agency. Located in the Agdal district, the center which covers nearly 2,500 square meters, contains a conference and training room, a library, a theater and classrooms for language teaching, music, dance and painting. «It is of great significance for China and Morocco to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in culture and tourism», said China's Vice Minister of Culture and

The Polisario urges Antonio Guterres to remove land mines near the berm

Polisario leader Brahim Ghali sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging him to clear «mines that threaten the lives of Saharwis», reports SPS on Tuesday, December the 18th. In his letter, Ghali called Guterres to «intervene to accelerate the clearance of these mines, which are a daily threat to the lives of Sahrawis and their properties». SPS explained that Sahrawis, during the rainy season, move to «lands near the

Geneva round table : Nasser Bourita to appear before a House of Representatives’ committee

On Thursday, December the 15th, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita is expected to attend a session at the House of Representatives in Rabat. The Minister will appear before the Foreign Affairs, National Defense and Islamic Affairs committee. Bourita is expected to inform MPs about the two-day round table that he attended on the Sahara conflict in Geneva on the 5th and 6th of December alongside representatives from Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario Front. This session comes one week

Trump’s new Africa policy : Members of the US mission to Morocco meet the MINURSO’s head

Members of the US Embassy in Rabat visited on Tuesday, December the 18th, Laayoune, sources told Yabiladi. The US delegation met with the head of the MINURSO before flying back to the capital. This meeting took place a few days after the National Security Advisor of the United States John Bolton said that he was «frustrated» that the Western Sahara conflict has not been resolved. «We will no longer support unproductive, unsuccessful, and unaccountable UN peacekeeping

Morocco's ONEE and KFW Sign 69.5 mln Euro-agreements on drinking water

The National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) and German bank KfW signed, on Monday, agreements to finance drinking water supply worth 69.5 million euros. This funding concerns the Sidi Ifni drinking water supply project (AEP) and its coastal zone through the desalination of sea water and Tlat Lakhssas and the surrounding rural area from the Youssef ben Tachfine dam, said a statement from ONEE. The project, totaling 30 million euros, will support the socio-economic development

Casablanca : A migrant camp catches fire for the third time near Oulad Ziane

A new fire broke out Tuesday, 18th of December, in Casablanca, burning a camp that hosts sub-Saharan migrants near Oulad Ziane. The blaze destroyed the tents and the belongings of several migrants only six months after their camp caught fire in similar circumstances. Eyewitnesses told Yabiladi that this was the largest fire that took place in the camp. A sub-Saharan national said that the fire was started by a «Moroccan, just like the last two times». «The camp caught fire

IMF approves US$3 billion for Morocco under Precautionary and Liquidity Line

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved on Monday a two-year arrangement for Morocco under the Precautionary and Liquidity Line (PLL) for about US$ 3 billion, the Department of Treasury and External Finance (DTFE) at the ministry of Economy and Finance said. «Despite a sharp pick up in global oil prices, the Moroccan authorities have reduced fiscal and external vulnerabilities and implemented important reforms with the support of three consecutive 24-month

Central Bank : Morocco's growth would stand at 3.3% in 2018 and at 3.1% in 2019

Morocco’s growth would stand at 3.3% in 2018, as against 4.1% in 2017, while it is expected to slow to 3.1% in 2019 before rising to 3.6% in 2020, according to the Central Bank. «HCP data for the second quarter indicate an economic activity level well below expectations. Taking account of these results and the available infra-annual indicators, growth would stand at 3.3 percent in 2018, as against 4.1 percent in 2017», and to slow to 3.1% in 2019 before rising to 3.6% in

2019 summer season : TUI fly launches nine new lines from Morocco

Belgian leisure airline TUI fly is expanding its airline routes in Morocco. The company is launching, starting from June the 7th, 2019, nine new lines linking Spain, Italy and France to the Kingdom, says a communiqué sent by the firm to Yabiladi on Monday. Six of these routes will be operational through Casablanca, while three others will link Nador to the three above-mentioned countries. These new lines will be officially launched in the 2019 summer season. This new plan is

UAFA apologies for excluding the Sahara from Morocco’s map

The Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) sent a letter on Tuesday, December the 18th, to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to apologize for publishing Morocco’s map without the Sahara at the Arab Club Champions Cup. Morocco's map was part of a photo published by the body organizing the competition to annouce the qualification of teams from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Algeria and Morocco. The union led by the Saudi official Turki Al