Policemen, supported by crime scene technicians, carried out a thorough observation of the bodies of the two children aged 9 and 13 years, bearing traces of injection of a suspecious substance inside their hotel room, said a National Police (DGSN) statement.

The statement further specified that the French suspect, a 72-year-old retired nurse, was found unconscious in the proximity of the two children's bodies.

According to the initial findings and examinations, the children's bodies do not show any signs of violence or resistance, except for the injection trace, said the statement, adding that the father, who did not show any signs of violence either, was taken to hospital and placed in ICU.

The technical sweep carried out in the hotel room lead to the discovery of a handwritten paper explaining the family motives behind the suicide attempt, continues the DGSN statement.

This document is currently undergoing a graphological analysis, the same source revealed, indicating that syringes were also found and sent to the laboratory of the scientific police to determine their nature and connection with the crime.

The judicial police heard the ex-wife of the accused, said the statement. The remains of the two minors have been deposited at the hospital for autopsy to determine the causes of death and reveal the nature of the substances injected.

During these talks, the two sides welcomed the development of bilateral cooperation relations, including trade, and discussed ways to promote partnership between economic operators of both countries.

Exchanges have also focused on the challenges faced by investors and ways to strengthen trade between companies established in Morocco and Spain, said Alioua.

The two parties took this opportunity to express their determination to further strengthen their relations in the economic, trade and investment, he added in a statement to MAP.

In addition, the FCMCIS president noted that the new investment charter, discussed at this meeting, will give a new impetus to investment in the regions that need it most.

For his part, the Spanish ambassador highlighted the importance of trade relations between the two neighboring countries, recalling that Spain is the final destination of nearly 40% of Moroccan exports to the European Union.

Rodríguez also explained the operation of chambers of commerce in Spain, in addition to business clubs that represent spaces for B2B meetings.

This meeting, held at the headquarters of the FCMCIS, took place in the presence of the director of the FCMCIS, Narjiss Loubaris and the head of the economic and trade office at the Embassy of Spain in the Kingdom, Javier Fernández Méndez de Andes.

Arrouchi, who was speaking at the 5th Annual Consultative Meeting held between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) on climate and peacebuilding in Africa, stressed that Morocco remains fully committed alongside its African partners and brothers, to ensure the establishment of a lasting peace in Africa, which guarantees the well-being and prosperity of the continent's people.

The Kingdom has been committed since its independence to respond favorably to the calls of the international community to prevent conflicts or restore peace and security throughout the world, said the Moroccan diplomat, noting that the participation of Morocco is regularly plebiscite at the level of the international community, and especially within the United Nations, the organization responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

The Royal Armed Forces are recognized for their competence, dedication, self-sacrifice and courage in the field. Moroccan peacekeepers have been honored by the UN and its member states for their commitment to peacekeeping operations, in which Morocco has participated since its independence, said Arrouchi.

The Kingdom's efforts to promote peace and security in Africa are reflected in its active contribution to various missions deployed in the African continent in addition to the humanitarian component with the deployment of several field medical-surgical hospitals in recent years, in addition to humanitarian support to cope with various crises, including the pandemic of COVID-19, recalled the Moroccan diplomat.

Relying on its experience and operational potential, the Kingdom inscribes its efforts in the service of peace and security in Africa and confirms its commitment to the defense of the values of peace and security, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States in accordance with the principles of international law, said Arrouchi.

He also added that in the face of the multiple challenges facing the African continent, Morocco calls for promoting a South-South and triangular winning cooperation, adopting comprehensive, integrated and inclusive approaches, through the maintenance and consolidation of peace and the promotion of sustainable development.

Based on the reality of the nexus peace, security and development, there can be no lasting peace without economic development, as highlighted during the Tangier Conference on "Promoting the Nexus Peace, Security and Development, perspective of regional integration", held by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU, from 25 to 27 October last, under the Moroccan presidency of the PSC, said Arrouchi.

The work of this conference was sanctioned by the adoption of the Declaration of Tangier, which enshrined the importance of the relationship between peace, security and development in the strategies and programs for the establishment of peace and security and the fight against terrorism and extremism on the African continent by identifying with all stakeholders concerned, pilot projects that have a real impact on the daily lives of African citizens and the African population, the most valuable resource of our dear continent, he said.

Referring to the situation on the Continent, the Moroccan diplomat stressed that Africa is, unfortunately, the scene of several armed conflicts that have deeply destabilized many of its states and permanently affected its people.

These conflicts, in one way or another, have mortgaged the foundations of economic growth and human development, and slowed down progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the African Union's Agenda 2063, deplored Arrouchi.

Despite the progress made in resolving the many conflicts and crises facing the continent, millions of people continue to be negatively affected by the severe after-effects of these conflicts and enormous challenges remain for the countries and regional communities concerned to reap the benefits of peace and stability resulting from conflict resolution, the Moroccan diplomat noted.

In this regard, the AU's efforts and initiatives in post-conflict reconstruction and development must place greater emphasis on, among other things, peacebuilding and preventing a relapse into violence, the implementation of reconstruction activities, and strengthening complementarities and coordination among various actors involved in post-conflict reconstruction and development processes, demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants, return and reintegration of displaced populations, long-term sustainable development, without forgetting to promote the foundations of good political and socio-economic governance, with a view to strengthening and deepening the regional integration process in Africa, insisted Arrouchi.

The relations between Morocco and the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are based on deep cultural, spiritual and civilizational ties, said House of Advisors' Speaker Enaam Mayara on Monday in Abuja.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS parliament's second 2022 ordinary session, Mayara, who represented Morocco at this event, said that these relations are governed by the values of solidarity, mutual respect and common struggle for the consolidation of peace and stability.

In addition, "they do not date from today, Morocco has proven sub-Saharan extensions and has historically woven strong ties with the countries of the region," he continued.

These historical relations have been supported by the visits made by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, in several ECOWAS countries, as well as those made by his brothers and friends in our country, he added.

These visits have been crowned by the conclusion and signing of several conventions and cooperation agreements in the framework of a partnership based on shared solidarity, co-development and renewed South-South cooperation, he said.

He also said that these agreements aim to achieve several joint projects of great economic and social significance in various sectors ranging from agriculture, infrastructure, finance, telecommunications, energy and mining and training of executives.

Morocco also maintains institutional relations with ECOWAS, which it enjoys an observer status since 2005, he noted, stressing that in this context, Morocco is already in action in favor of this strategic grouping which it feels part.

Regarding the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, the memorandum of understanding was signed recently in Rabat, with ECOWAS and, in Nouakchott with Mauritania and Senegal, he recalled, saying that these steps are an essential milestone in the process of carrying out this project.

"During this period, our country has been honored to participate in several meetings of your august organization and to contribute to its activities. This dynamic highlights the crucial interest that Morocco gives to your countries, the African continent and South-South cooperation," he said.

In this sense, the Moroccan official noted that economic diplomacy has become a credo in the face of the impacts of globalization on international relations and on national and regional economies in particular, insisting that "this is where South-South cooperation takes its full meaning. Cooperation and win-win relationships represent a new strategy to consolidate regional integration.

"The strengthening of economic and trade relations and the consolidation of investment between Morocco and ECOWAS countries are no longer the prerogative of speeches, but a concrete reality that we exercise every day," he said, confirming that "similarly, for Morocco, South-South cooperation is no longer a mere slogan, but a compelling necessity, imposed by the acuteness and magnitude of the challenges facing our countries."

"It is impossible to rely on traditional forms of cooperation, which are now unable to meet the growing needs of our peoples, themselves increasingly demanding," he explained.

"This is why Morocco is committed to implementing concrete projects in productive sectors, vectors of growth and job creation, and directly impacting the lives of citizens. This reality is illustrated by the evolution and diversification of the partnerships that unite Morocco with a number of ECOWAS countries and that focus on human development and various social, economic and religious fields," he said.

Several opportunities for economic complementarity exist between Morocco and ECOWAS countries in various promising sectors, said Mayara.

Beyond the traditional trade, sustainable links between companies and investors of Morocco and those of the ECOWAS region, are projects with high added value on both sides and form a solid and credible basis for the diversification of economic relations, he noted.

"Thus, in recent years, Morocco and the countries of the region are driven by a significant dynamic in infrastructure investment. Several mega-projects have emerged in land transport, ports and air, or energy," he said.

"Another important area of cooperation between Morocco and ECOWAS countries is the security field, because as you know, peace is a prerequisite for any development," he said.

"In this context, Morocco is driven by a genuine approach to cooperation and a spirit of sharing, given that the Moroccan approach in the security field is based on three inseparable pillars, namely security, human development and training," he said.

He also stressed that "ECOWAS, due to its geostrategic position, is the most suitable space to face the challenges of security in the Sahel, because it has a multidimensional capital, allowing it to be the leader in the fight against terrorism and organized crime in the region.

On the subject of parliamentary diplomacy, Mayara said that "without doubt, it now plays an irrefutable role in strengthening cooperation and convergence of positions first on bilateral and regional issues, as well as in exploring ways to develop economic, trade and human relations, but also with the aim of investing promising opportunities in cooperation.

The House of Advisors of the Kingdom of Morocco has always ensured to strengthen its relations with the ECOWAS parliament, he highlighted.

In October 2017, the two institutions signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen the exceptional and historic friendship relations uniting our countries and peoples, he said, adding that the objectives of this agreement were consolidated through the signing of the "Laayoune Declaration", which crowned the important visit of the President of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohammed Tunis to Morocco, last February.

It is a declaration that revolves around the imperative of co-construction and close cooperation between our institution and the ECOWAS Parliament, he said, affirming that "in this way, we will take advantage of all opportunities offered to consolidate and deepen parliamentary cooperation between our two institutions.

This awareness is a guarantee of economic and trade relations between Morocco and ECOWAS countries, he said, stressing that "we will capitalize on mutual opportunities and we will exploit the added value of the parliamentary partnership between the House of Councillors and the ECOWAS Parliament.

Exchange of experiences and sharing of expertise in the areas of parliamentary action are the path we take now, especially on regional issues and topics of common interest, he added, saying that "this statement will undoubtedly expand the consultation between the two legislative institutions in the common interest of our brotherly and friendly countries.

The opening ceremony was marked by the participation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, the President of ECOWAS, President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the President of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohammed Tunis, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Aliou Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Edward Amoako Asante, and the President of the Pan-African Parliament, Fortune Charumbira.

On this occasion, Mr. Buhari and Mr. Sissoco Embaló received recognition awards from the President of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The Moroccan minister's statement came during a meeting dedicated to the evaluation of the implementation of the Territorial Protocol for the care of women victims of violence.

Morocco, in harmony with the national legal dynamics and in accordance with the High Royal Directions for the promotion of women's rights, has adopted a comprehensive and integrated approach that incorporates the four UN pillars relating to the elimination of all forms of violence against them, namely prevention, protection, criminalization and care, said the minister.

This approach has enabled the enactment of a new generation of laws and the building of a new stage in the strengthening of the rights of Moroccan women in full harmony with the constitutional provisions of the Kingdom and international conventions ratified by Morocco and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this context, she recalled that Morocco submitted last June in Geneva, its national report, which includes the fifth and sixth periodic reports of the Kingdom on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as Morocco proceeded last March, to the launch of its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2022-2024 in implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

Her department has adopted as part of the implementation of the commitments of the government program, an integrated and comprehensive vision for the elimination of violence against women and girls, aimed at adopting a participatory and territorial approach based on results in collaboration with all actors and stakeholders in the field.

Hayar also said that her department is working to adapt the conditions of presentation of services for women victims of violence to quality standards, noting that the ministry also continues to implement its commitments contained in the Marrakech Declaration as an ambitious roadmap to eliminate the phenomenon of violence against women and girls.

MSI 20, an index of the 20 most liquid stocks, fell 0.03% to 873.09 points, while the Casablanca ESG 10, a socially responsible companies' price performance calculator, rose 0.08% to 816.85 points.

FTSE CSE Morocco All-Liquid, which tracks the performance of all liquid stocks, rose 0.25% to 9,086.62 points, while FTSE CSE Morocco 15, composed of the 15 largest stocks ranked by market capitalization, lost 0.05% to 9,919.35 points.

These statements came during a press conference marking the opening of the 17th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Rabat from December 28 to 3.

On this occasion, Morocco's Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Samir Addahre highlighted digitization as a "major challenge" that will bring the intangible cultural heritage of young people and involve them in actions aimed at its safeguarding and transmission.

The importance of this digital dimension was highlighted by the Royal message addressed to the participants in this session and which was read earlier in the morning at the opening of the work of this world conclave, noted Addahre, who chaired the Committee.

In this respect, he further added that "the issue of digitization is on the agenda of the Committee and, although it has not yet reached an advanced stage, we are working on it and we hope that a stronger impetus will be given from Rabat."

The ultimate goal is that young people take up the cause of intangible cultural heritage, which is of a "broader and more complex" nature than tangible heritage, since it incorporates several dimensions and disciplines, including culture, history, anthropology, traditions, etc., insisted the Ambassador.

In turn, Ernesto Ottone Ramírez, Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO, stressed the need to develop this concept of "digital heritage" which is more likely to interest young people "by speaking the language they master best, that of new technologies."

He reviewed, in the same context, some pilot projects developed by UNESCO in various parts of the world for the creation of an online educational platform incorporating data and documents relating to elements of tangible and intangible heritage.

In today's world, the meteoric evolution of new information technologies and communication opens wide prospects for education in intangible heritage and transfer of knowledge that will be "a building site of the future," noted the UN official.

He also said he was "delighted" to be in Morocco to take part in this great event where "the richness of the living heritage of humanity unfolds in all its wealth and splendor."

A total of 24,915,540 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the number of fully vaccinated people (1st and 2nd doses) has reached 23,415,455, the ministry pointed out in its daily COVID-19 bulletin, noting that 6,858,413 people have received the third dose of the vaccine, while 56,209 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 1,268,440, while recoveries increased to 1,250,972, i.e. a recovery rate of 98.6%.

The new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the regions of Casablanca-Settat (14), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (12), Marrakech-Safi (10), Souss-Massa (05), Eastern region (01), Fez-Meknes (01) and Béni Mellal-Khénifra (01).

As for coronavirus-related fatalities, their number remained at 16,284, with no case recorded in the last 24 hours.

The number of active cases stands at 1,184, with no severe or critical cases reported in the past 24 hours.

On this occasion, president Masisi welcomed the quality of cordial relations between the two countries and expressed his congratulations to the Kingdom following the victory of the national team against Belgium during the World Cup in Qatar.

At the end of this audience, Benmoussa said he handed the Botswana president a message of brotherhood and friendship addressed by HM King Mohammed VI.

The audience, which took place at the Presidential Palace in Gaborone in the presence of Moroccan Ambassador to South Africa, accredited to Botswana, Youssef Amrani, was also an opportunity to highlight the Kingdom's African policy, initiated by His Majesty the King, to contribute to the consolidation of stability and development of the African continent.

The audience was also attended by Minister in the Presidency, Kabo Neale Sehele Moraweng, as well as Secretaries General of the Presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Botswana.
 

"The preservation of the liveliness of heritage owes much to the commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI," said Azoulay, who was speaking at the opening of the 17th session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In this regard, she expressed her "most sincere" thanks to His Majesty the King for "his commitment to culture, for the entire scope of UNESCO's mandate, and more generally, for multilateral action in the service of peace".