Gulf states back Morocco over UN on Western Sahara issue

Gulf states back Morocco over UN on Western Sahara issue

Special to WorldTribune.com Leaders of Gulf Arab states have pledged solidarity with Morocco in its dispute with the UN over the fate of Western Sahara. Morocco expelled dozens of UN staff from the mission in Western Sahara, known as MINURSO, last month after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon referred to Morocco’s 1975 annexation of the region […]

Al Qaida recuiting campaign targets Moroccan royal family’s ‘kingdom of corruption’

Al Qaida recuiting campaign targets Moroccan royal family’s ‘kingdom of corruption’

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Al Qaida has sought to expand recruitment in Morocco by highlighting official corruption in the North African kingdom, a report said. The Jamestown Foundation asserted that Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb launched a campaign against Moroccan King Mohammed. In a video posted on Islamist networks, AQIM has released […]

Where’s Hillary? Morocco cools to new Obama foreign policy team

Where’s Hillary? Morocco cools to new Obama foreign policy team

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Morocco has been wary of the new foreign policy team of U.S. President Barack Obama, a report said. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy asserted that the North African kingdom has been concerned by Obama’s new foreign policy team. In a report, the institute said leading advisers, including the […]

Moroccan king ousts Islamists, returns old guard to Cabinet

Moroccan king ousts Islamists, returns old guard to Cabinet

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Morocco’s King Mohammed has restored direct control over his Cabinet, a report said. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy determined that Mohammed removed Islamists and returned his supporters in the new Cabinet. In a report, the institute asserted that the Oct. 10 Cabinet reshuffle represented the king’s intent to […]

Moroccans hit Islamist government ‘repression’ in nationwide protests

Moroccans hit Islamist government ‘repression’ in nationwide protests

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Morocco has again been rocked by renewed unrest against the new Islamist government. Anti-government protests have been reported in several major cities in the North African kingdom. Thousands of people called for jobs, transparency, lower prices and democracy. “Stop the repression of the people!” a banner unfurled at a protest […]

Morocco’s king vetoes Islamist cultural reforms to preserve image of tolerant Muslim state

Morocco’s king vetoes Islamist cultural reforms to preserve image of tolerant Muslim state

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — King Mohammed has begun vetoing decisions by Morocco’s new Islamist government. The king has taken measures to restrict the authority of the Islamist government of Prime Minister Abdul Ilah Benkirane. In the latest move, Mohammed fired the president of the nation’s broadcast authority, which sought to ban advertisements for gambling […]

Moroccan king bows to military protests, pledges salary boosts, reforms

Moroccan king bows to military protests, pledges salary boosts, reforms

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — King Mohammed has pledged to improve conditions in Morocco’s military after protests which included suicides. Mohammed told the new Islamist-led Cabinet that he would increase pensions and salaries for retired and serving military personnel. The king said the new policy would also grant legal and other rights to soldiers and […]

Moroccan king maintains control over new Islamist government

Moroccan king maintains control over new Islamist government

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — King Mohammed has tightened his grip on the new Islamist government in Morocco. Western diplomats and analysts said the king has ensured that all of the defense, security and financial portfolios in the new Cabinet of Islamist Prime Minister Abdul Ilah Benkirane would remain with royalists. They included the Defense […]

Islamists win 80 seats in ‘transparent’ Morocco elections

Islamists win 80 seats in ‘transparent’ Morocco elections

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The leading Islamic opposition party has claimed victory in Morocco’s parliamentary elections. The Justice and Development Party said it gained more seats than any other group running in Morocco’s elections, meant to elect a 395-member parliamentary. The party is said to have won some 27 percent out of the 288 […]

Islamists in Morocco admit protests ‘not enough’ to topple King

Islamists in Morocco admit protests ‘not enough’ to topple King

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The Islamist opposition has determined that the protest campaign in Morocco will not topple the North African kingdom. The head of the opposition Islamist Justice and Development Party assessed that the protest movement was not large enough to endanger King Mohammed. Abdul Ilah Bin Kiran said, however, that the anti-government […]