Morocco king denies fabricated picture in Doha

CAIRO – 18 November 2017: Yassir Znagui, advisor to Mohammed VI, king of Morocco, denied the authenticity of the picture of the Moroccan King raising a sash in favor of Qatari Emir during a visit to the Qatari capital of Doha.

Znagui declared to Maghreb Arabe Press (MAP) that the picture is a clear fabrication and added that the king did not raise any sash with the phrase that roughly translates to, “World for you and Tamim for us;” meaning that Morocco suffices with its relationship with Tamim.

On the other hand, Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, director of Government Communications Office (GCO) of Qatar, said the visit of the king of Morocco was a success by all standards and expressed his regret for the fabricated picture during his visit to Doha.

Bin Saif Al-Thani remarked that the act is unacceptable and that investigations will be conducted to reveal the offender.

Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, former chief of Dubai Police Force, claimed that Azmi Bishara, former Knesset member and advisor of Qatari battalions, fabricated this picture to foil any intermediation that would come from Morocco.

On June 5, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen decided to cut all diplomatic ties with Qatar, hurling allegations that the state supports terrorism. Ports and airspaces were cut off to Qatari vessels. Since then, Kuwait has played the role of mediator to put an end to this rift. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held several meetings with the disputed parties, but the discussions have not yet led to a settlement.

The Arab countries listed 13 demands to be met by Qatar, including severing ties with terrorist groups, closing down the pan-Arab Al-Jazeera satellite channel, downgrading ties with arch-rival Iran and the closure of the Turkish air base in Qatar.

With the passing of nearly five months of the Arab crisis with Doha, the tiny Gulf emirate of Qatar insisted on its stubborn policy of strengthening relations with Iran and Turkey.

Qatar ignores the demands set by the Arab countries, which include downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran and closing a Turkish airbase in Qatar.