Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita announced today, Monday, that he discussed with his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné the ceasefire and the delivery of aid to Gaza. He added in a press conference following his talks with Séjourné, who is on his first visit to the region since his appointment, "We talked about the impact of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the disastrous humanitarian consequences, and how to work, as emphasized by His Majesty the King, on declaring a ceasefire and ensuring the arrival of aid."
Bourita mentioned that he also discussed with Séjourné "creating a political process, preventing the displacement of Palestinians, and preserving the Arab-Islamic identity of Jerusalem." He warned against "all practices and decisions, especially as we approach the month of Ramadan, that could increase tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Jerusalem, adding to the dangerous and tragic reality in Gaza."
These statements come as part of Séjourné's working visit to Morocco, marking his first trip to the region. Relations between the two countries have soured in recent years due to issues including French-Algerian rapprochement, while Algeria severed its diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021. Séjourné stated that President Emmanuel Macron asked him to make personal efforts towards rapprochement with Morocco.
Relations between the two countries had also deteriorated after a French investigation revealed Morocco’s targeting of French senior officials' phone numbers, including President Macron's, using the Israeli espionage program "Pegasus," an accusation that Morocco has strongly denied.
During the press conference with Bourita, Séjourné reiterated France's support for Morocco's autonomy proposal to resolve the Western Sahara dispute, affirming his country's intention "to make progress on this file." Morocco considers the region an integral part of its territory, and King Mohammed VI previously stated that "the Sahara issue is the lens through which Morocco views the world... it is the clear and simple criterion by which Morocco measures the sincerity of friendships and the effectiveness of partnerships."
