Morocco reopening its embassy in the Syrian capital after 13 years of cut ties between the two countires
Moroccan King Mohammed VI announced the reopening of the Moroccan embassy in Syria, which has been closed since 2012 following the escalation of violence during the popular uprising against the Assad regime.
In a message addressed to the Arab Summit held Saturday in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and read on his behalf by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Mohammed VI explained that Rabat reaffirms its unwavering historical position of supporting and assisting the honorable Syrian people in achieving their aspirations for freedom, security, and stability, and preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
The Moroccan monarch added that embodying this position and in support of this promising path, the Kingdom of Morocco has decided to reopen its embassy in Damascus, noting that this decision will contribute to opening broader horizons for the historic bilateral relations between the two countries.
On the sidelines of the 34th Arab League Summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani met with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, on Saturday.
The two agreed to establish bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries within a framework of mutual respect and common brotherhood.
Morocco and Syria severed diplomatic relations in July 2012, with Rabat ordering the Syrian ambassador to leave the country as “persona non grata,” and Damascus responding in kind.
Prior to this, Morocco recalled its ambassador to Syria in November 2011, after the Moroccan embassy in Damascus was attacked by demonstrators supporting Assad’s regime, in protest against the Kingdom’s hosting of a ministerial meeting dedicated to discussing the Syrian crisis.
