Arab League chief expresses regret for tensions in Algerian-Moroccan relations

CAIRO – 26 August 2021: Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Abul Gheit expressed his deep regret for the heightened tensions after Algeria announced severing its diplomatic ties with Morocco.

Abul Gheit in a statement called on the two countries to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.

An official source in the General Secretariat of the Arab League said Algeria and Morocco are major countries regarding joint Arab action.

He expressed hope for the restoration of the minimum level of relations between the two countries in a way that preserves their stability, interests and the stability of the region.

On Tuesday, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra announced cutting diplomatic relations with Morocco.

Lamamra said that severing relations does not mean harming the citizens of the two countries, noting that consular missions will continue their work as usual.

The step was announced in a press conference held by Lamamra, accusing the neighboring kingdom of committing acts that he described as unfriendly and hostile against Algeria.

"It has been historically proven that Morocco has not stopped carrying out unfriendly and hostile actions against Algeria," Lamamra told a press conference.

The Arab Parliament said in a statement that it has followed up with great concern the developments in relations between Algeria and Morocco, following the recent development.

The Parliament called on both countries to give priority to the brotherly relations between them and the interests of their two brotherly peoples.

It called on Algeria and Morocco to exercise restraint and avoid escalation.

The Parliament called on Algeria and Morocco to engage in a constructive dialogue to calm tension and discuss contentious issues between them within an Arab brotherly framework.

It stressed that both Morocco and Algeria are major and influential forces in the Arab and regional system, and bear a great responsibility in strengthening Arab solidarity and rejecting differences and division.

The Arab Parliament also affirmed its full confidence in the wisdom of the leaders of both countries and their ability to overcome this crisis as soon as possible.