In a statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency, OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha expressed "his sincere condolences to Morocco, King and people, as well as to the relatives of the victims of the fires that occurred in several regions of the country.

The General Secretariat has also reiterated its support to Morocco, as well as its belief in its ability to overcome the effects of this ordeal.

On Wednesday, the provincial director of the National Agency for Water and Forests of Tetouan, Othmane El Azzaoui, told M24, MAP's 24-hour-rolling news channel, that air and ground interventions have largely neutralized the danger of expansion of the fire that broke out on Monday.

He specified that efforts are currently focused on the elimination of small foci of embers to avoid a resumption of the fire, which has destroyed nearly 125 ha of forest cover, formed mainly of eucalyptus, pine and secondary grasses.

El Azzaoui also stressed that aerial interventions, conducted through three Canadair aircraft specialized in firefighting that have carried out a total of 138 drop operations, have helped to extinguish the most dangerous fires and prevent their spread despite the adverse natural conditions.

This decision follows the telephone conversation that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans abroad, Mr. Nasser Bourita, had with the Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Peru, Mr. Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Mackay.

The Kingdom of Morocco appreciates and welcomes this decision of the Republic of Peru, which opens a new page in relations with this friendly country. It will allow to deepen political dialogue and strengthen sectoral cooperation, especially in the areas of agriculture and fertilizers. In this context, concrete actions will be carried out very quickly, the statement added. 

Thanks to the actions carried out in recent years, on the Highest Instructions of HM Mohammed VI, many countries have withdrawn their recognition of the puppet entity, the ministry recalled.

Of the 193 member countries of the United Nations, 84% do not recognize the so-called "sadr", that is two-thirds of African countries, 68% of Latin American and Caribbean countries, 96% of Asian countries and 100% of European and North American countries, the statement concludes.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru expresses its "respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, its national sovereignty, and the autonomy plan relating to this regional dispute" around the Moroccan Sahara.

The statement said that this decision was taken following a telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Mackay, and Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad.

The statement explains that this decision is taken in accordance with international law, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in full compliance with the principles of territorial integrity of Member States of the United Nations.

It also comes in "support of the efforts of the UN Secretary General and the Security Council to achieve a political, realistic, lasting and consensual solution to the dispute over the Sahara."

The statement continued that "taking into account that there is no effective bilateral relationship to date, the Government of the Republic of Peru decides to withdraw its recognition" of the 'sadr' and "break all relations with this entity," adding that "this decision will be notified to the United Nations."

The same source stressed that "in accordance with international law and UN resolutions on the Sahara issue, the Government of the Republic of Peru appreciates and expresses its respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco and its national sovereignty, as well as the autonomy plan relating to this regional dispute.

"The two governments agreed to strengthen their bilateral relations through the immediate signing of a multi-sectoral roadmap that includes periodic political consultations, effective cooperation in the economic, commercial, educational, energy, agricultural and fertilizer fields," the statement concluded.

A total of 24,887,005 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the number of fully vaccinated people (1st and 2nd doses) has reached 23,378,723, the ministry pointed out in its daily COVID-19 bulletin, noting that 6,731,469 people have received the third dose of the vaccine, while 35,386 people have received the fourth dose.

According to the same source, the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the start of the outbreak of the virus rose to 1,263,779, while recoveries increased to 1,246,695, i.e. a recovery rate of 98.6%.

The new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the regions of Casablanca-Settat (22), Souss-Massa (13), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (10), the Oriental (10), Fez-Meknès (05), Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima (05), Marrakech-Safi (05), Beni Mellal-Khénifra (03), Dakhla-Oued Eddahab (02), Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra (02), Draâ-Tafilalet (01) and Guelmim-Oued Noun (01).

As for coronavirus-related fatalities, they remained at 16,269, with no deaths reported in the past 24 hours.

The number of active cases has dropped to 815, while one severe or critical case has been reported in the past 24 hours, their total number being at 25.

In an op-ed published by Spanish magazine "Atalayar", Haddad reflects on information reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on August 9, stating that members of the European Parliament Committee of Inquiry on Pegasus learned from the NSO, the company that manufactures the now-notorious spyware, that it "has active contracts with 12 of the 27 European Union members" and that "the company is now working with 22 security and enforcement organizations in the EU."

The revelation came as a shock to the Committee, whose intent may have been to see if non-European countries have been using Pegasus to spy on European politicians and journalists, the author points out in a story under the title "The Pegasus Case: Will Le Monde and Forbidden Stories apologize to Morocco?".

"Yet, what is even mid-boggling is the convenient silence of media like Le Monde, El Pais, and others who had accused Morocco (along with other non-European countries) in July 2021 of using spyware to hack the telephones of European officials and journalists," the former minister observes.

"Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International, the organizations behind the infamous revelations, are looking elsewhere. The silence is not only telling but revealing of the political motives behind the unfounded revelations."

"The consortium of 17 media outlets and organizations that had made the revelations last year were dead sure that Morocco was one of the clients of NSO and a recipient of Pegasus spyware which it uses to spy on foreigners and nationals alike; one year later, all of these have not only failed to provide evidence for their accusations against Morocco, but what the EU Parliament found out is that the espionage is made at home in Europe and that a big number of EU countries and organizations are clients of NSO," he goes on.

According to Haddad, "the explosive news as reported by Haaretz did not get the attention of neither Le Monde nor of El Pais. Amnesty did not even mention it and Forbidden Stories has not updated its news feed on its website. The Haaretz revelation has deconstructed the story of +oppressive regimes using Pegasus to spy on politicians and journalists in European democracies." The story has been debunked; the narrative is not as melodramatic as it was a year ago."

"For fear to lose face and credibility, these media and organizations have taken refuge in a summer silence waiting for the storm to weather down. Not only that, but if they cover the story, it may betray another proof that they do not have any evidence against Morocco's use of the spyware. The legal ramifications are well-known especially since the Moroccan Government is adamant about bringing the case before European national courts to seek justice for the harm done by these very media outlets and organizations," he notes.

The other reason why Le Monde, El Pais and others do not cover the story, according to Haddad, is because it deconstructs their anti-Moroccan editorial line. "Their purpose is less professionally journalistic than it is politically motivated."

The author, who is a member of the House of Advisors, hoped that European MPs, who have justly set up a committee to investigate the affair, shed more light on the issue to such a point that Le Monde, El Pais, Amnesty, Forbidden Stories, and others see the painful truth for what it is: the clients of Pegasus are European par excellence, the victims too, their number is huge and the use is extensive.

"European MEPs will probably find ways and pass laws to protect citizens, politicians and activists. But they will teach these above-mentioned media outlets and organizations the lesson of their life: take down your paternalistic and neo-colonial gown, whereby you give yourself the right to target and attack other countries and talk about clearing your own backyard before telling others that theirs is squalid," Haddad concludes.

In an editorial under the title "Colombia is no longer in the hands of Colombians," journalist and writer Eduardo MacKenzie writes that he is surprised at the fact that Gustavo Petro's first decision was to "re-establish diplomatic relations with an entity that very few people in Colombia know (sadr)." 

"What does that do for Colombia? Nothing. This act is a blow to Colombia and ruins the excellent relations with Morocco."

It is clear that "in taking this unusual step, Gustavo Petro is implementing the agenda set by Podemos and by horrible dictatorships while disregarding the interests of Colombia," according to the author.

This entity is not recognized by "any European country, nor by the United States, nor by Japan, nor by Australia," he writes.

All the states that recognize this entity are "third world countries including North Korea and Cuba... And now Colombia," the author deplores, wondering "what lies behind this maneuver." "A political agenda that has nothing to do with Colombia."

The journalist recalls in this context that Spain has recognized the territorial integrity of Morocco over the Sahara, through a letter sent by the president of the government, Pedro Sanchez, to HM King Mohammed VI.

MacKenzie also criticizes the "Bolivar's sword" incident when the new president insisted on presenting the sword on the day of his inauguration on August 7. This act raised tensions with Spain given the symbolic significance of the sword of Simon Bolivar. "With this premeditated sketch, Petro has rendered another service to Podemos and to those who seek to break up the Spanish monarchy," writes the author.

The columnist refers to another decision of Petro's government that goes against the interests of Colombia: the end of the exploration and marketing of gas from its subsoil, which will be substituted 

MacKenzie describes this announcement as an "irrational measure" that will result in a "massive transfer of Colombian wealth to Venezuela."

"At this moment Colombia is out of control. The Senate and the Chamber of Representatives, parties, unions and businessmen, the media directors are brain dead," Edward MacKenzie writes, speaking of the decisions taken on the first days of Petro's mandate. 

Colombia is now in the hands of a "non-national" group that "executes non-explicit directives where the interests of Colombia, its people, and its territory are not taken into account."

"The construction of Colombia has stopped. We are entering the phase of Colombia's dismantling and the transfer of national wealth to third countries," MacKenzie points out.

The Colombian State is run by a clique with absolute powers executing obscure extra-Colombian guidelines, none of which have been discussed by the citizens, either before or during the electoral campaign, the writer laments.

For now, the situation is the following: there are no counter-powers. There is no constitution and no laws. The clique will override everything and use violence against the sons of Colombia to impose the diktats of the Puebla Group and the Sao Paulo Forum (two blocs of the Latin American left), and those of the powers working to undermine democracy and freedoms in the West, MacKenzie concludes.

Developed within the framework of the "African Regional Program for Migration," this platform comes in the wake of efforts made by the National Commission and the IOM, as a technical partner, to strengthen the capacities of institutional stakeholders and the civil society working in the field, as well as any other interested person.

The training, available through the link www.formationtraite.net, offers eight free e-learning modules on human trafficking in French and Arabic, a press release from the Commission says.

The modules are based on law 27-14 on combating human trafficking, the international legal standards enshrined in the Palermo Protocol, as well as various national and international principles and guidelines on the subject.

Thus, each learner will have the opportunity to complete the training modules at his or her own pace, regardless of time and place, and will receive certification from the National Commission and the IOM at the end of a final Quiz, the same source concludes.

The celebration of the national event in Laayoune reflects once more, Gabon's unwavering support for the Moroccan Sahara and the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, said Ambassador and High Representative of Gabon to Morocco, Minko Mi Nseme Sylver Aboubacar at the opening of a ceremony held Wednesday at the Palais des Congrès of the city.

"Coming to celebrate our national holiday here in Laayoune is a strong act for us and our Moroccan brothers," said the diplomat who recalled that Gabon had participated in the Green March in 1975.

This initiative, he said, is part of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of relations between Gabon and Morocco, welcoming the excellent brotherly ties uniting the two friendly countries, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI and President of Gabon Ali Bongo.

By its geographical position and its enormous assets, the region of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra is a "natural crossroads" to sub-Saharan Africa, which can facilitate the flow of trade between Morocco and the countries of this region, the Gabonese diplomat noted.

Mr. Mi Nseme Sylver Aboubacar also welcomed the development process in the southern provinces of the Kingdom launched by HM King Mohammed VI, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, renewable energy and training.

For his part, Ibrahim Boutmilat, the Secretary General of the Wilaya of the Laayoune Sakia-El Hamra region noted that the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of Gabon in Laayoune attests to the distinguished and solid relationship between Morocco and Gabon whose foundations were laid by the late HM Hassan II and the late President Haj Omar Bongo.

The official welcomed the unconditional and unwavering support expressed by Gabon for the Moroccan Sahara, noting that the activities held as part of this celebration give substance to the presence of the Gabonese Consulate in Laayoune.

The celebration of the event on August 16-17, under the sign "Gabon in Laayoune", featured artistic performances that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Gabon, an exhibition of Gabonese products and visits to several flagship projects in the province of Laayoune.

On the sidelines of this ceremony, a partnership agreement was signed between the Startup Grow Foundation (Morocco) and the Mouetse association for feminist combat in the public cause (Gabon) to empower women.

This event was attended by several members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Laayoune and Dakhla, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans living abroad, as well as local elected officials and civil society actors.

In a statement to M24, MAP's 24-hour news channel, Azzaoui said that air and ground interventions have largely neutralized the danger of expansion of the fire, adding that efforts are currently focused on the elimination of small foci of embers to avoid a resumption of the fire, which has destroyed nearly 125 ha of forest cover, formed mainly of eucalyptus, pine and secondary grasses.

The speed of spread of the fire was aggravated by the difficulty of the terrain, the density of forest cover and the strong wind that blew on the region, he noted, noting that the fight against this fire has required the mobilization of all authorities and services concerned, including the Civil Protection, the Royal Gendarmerie, the National Security, the Auxiliary Forces, the Royal Armed Forces, the National Promotion and Water and Forests, in perfect coordination with provincial and local authorities.

El Azzaoui also stressed that the aerial interventions, conducted through three Canadair aircraft specialized in firefighting that have carried out a total of 138 drop operations, have helped to extinguish the most dangerous fires and prevent their spread despite the adverse natural conditions.

The efforts on the ground had as main objective to contain the fire and avoid its spread to inhabited areas, he stressed.

The Prosecutor General of the King at the Court of Appeal of Tetouan had announced to have given instructions to the competent judicial police to open a thorough judicial investigation to determine the circumstances of this disaster and identify the culprits.

At this stage of the preliminary investigation, four suspects have been arrested, currently in custody pending the completion of the investigation to then decide on the appropriate legal proceedings.

In addition, three elements of the Directorate General of Civil Protection died and two others were seriously injured Monday when their vehicle fell into a ravine while fighting the fire that broke out in the forest of Kodiat Tifour.

This summer break, long awaited after two-year COVID-19 hiatus, benefits 50 children, including 14 girls, aged between 7 and 14 years. It is supervised and animated by 13 professional pedagogical animation executives, including 10 qualified and experienced guides, at the rate of one guide for every 5 children, in addition to 3 teachers and coaches specialized in music, theater and sports.

As in previous years, a diversified program is planned for the duration of this summer camp.

MAP staff's children will be offered activities that combine fun, relaxation, fair competition and the encouragement of creativity, group spirit, collaboration and brotherhood.

Supervised by a qualified team of the MAP Foundation, the educational staff of this summer camp has scheduled workshops taking into account the inclinations and talents of young participants (choir, music, theater ...), sports activities, swimming sessions, excursions to the playground "Palooza Land", as well as visits to the city of Marrakech and its region and to green spaces and historical and natural sites of the ocher city.

The activities also include a closing party, animated by the children of the MAP staff benefiting from this summer camp.

The summer camps, organized each year by MAP, represent a space for development and education on the values of citizenship, while instilling in children the spirit of creativity, teamwork and collaboration.