Bourita Meets Syrian FM in Mecca, Reaffirms Support for Syria's Unity
Doha – Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with his Syrian counterpart Assaad Hassan Al-Chibani in Mecca on Thursday. The meeting signaled a potential thaw in diplomatic relations between the two Arab countries.
During the meeting, Bourita reiterated Morocco's support for Syria's unity and national sovereignty. 'The Kingdom of Morocco follows closely the important developments in Syria,' Bourita stated, stressing Morocco's backing for the Syrian people's aspirations for stability and development.
The talks took place on the sidelines of the seventh joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Morocco, held in Mecca on March 6. The gathering, chaired by Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Yahya, addressed strategic partnerships between the GCC and Morocco.
This diplomatic engagement follows King Mohammed VI's recent message of congratulations to Syria's transitional president Ahmad Al-Sharaa in early February.
The King expressed Morocco's 'steadfast commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity' while reaffirming that Morocco's position 'has always been and remains one of support for the Syrian people in achieving their aspirations for freedom, peace, and stability.'
Morocco's latest diplomatic outreach marks a departure from its earlier position. Rabat had closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 during the Syrian civil war, citing fundamental disagreements with the Assad regime.
Following the recent fall of the Assad government on December 8, discussions have begun regarding the potential reopening of Morocco's embassy in Damascus.
The developments also mark a break from a history of strained and tense ties. Under the previous Assad regime, Syria had supported Algeria during the Sand War and maintained backing for the separatist Polisario Front.
Recent discoveries revealed Iran's use of Syrian territory to train Polisario Front members during Assad's rule.
The GCC meeting in Mecca also addressed the Western Sahara issue, with Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi referencing UN Security Council Resolution 2756 from October 2024 regarding Western Sahara.
The GCC emphatically reinforced its unwavering support for Morocco's sovereignty over the territory.
Syria's transitional government, led by Al-Sharaa, has indicated plans for a four to five-year transition period to establish necessary electoral infrastructure and implement political reforms.
The new administration's stance on regional issues, including the Western Sahara, remains to be defined, though its opposition to the Iranian axis suggests a potential shift from the previous regime's positions.
The diplomatic maneuver has garnered sweeping regional endorsement, with multiple Arab countries — including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Yemen — throwing their weight behind Syria's transition process.
Read also: Morocco Looks to Revive Relations with Syria As Hope Returns to Damascus Tags: Morocco-Syria relationsNasser Bourita
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