At the headquarters of the General Staff of the South Zone in Agadir, an opening ceremony was held on Monday to announce the official launch of this multinational joint exercise, in the presence of representatives of the participating countries, added the same source.

On this occasion, the theme of the exercise and the various activities on the program for this 19th edition were presented, including the operational planning exercise for "Task Force" General Staff, tactical land, sea, air and combined day and night exercises, a combined special forces exercise, airborne operations, the military field hospital providing surgical-medical services for the population, and exercises to combat weapons of mass destruction.

Scheduled to take place in seven regions of Morocco: Agadir, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kenitra, Benguerir and Tifnit, the "African Lion 2023" exercise is an annual event that contributes to consolidating Moroccan-American military cooperation, as well as strengthening exchanges between the armed forces of different countries with a view to promoting security and stability in the region, concluded the statement.

The Foundation, which contributes to this operation with all the national stakeholders, has activated the global reception system in Morocco, France, Italy and Spain in twenty-four (24) assistance and support sites for members of the community, says a press release by the Foundation. These sites will remain operational for the entire period of the operation – three and a half (3.5) months during the arrival and return phases.

Eighteen (18) reception areas are operational in Morocco. They are located in the ports of Tanger Med, Tanger Ville, Al Hoceima and Nador and in the airports of Casablanca Mohammed V, Rabat – Salé, Oujda Angad, Nador, Agadir Al Massira, Fès Saïss, Marrakech Menara and Tangier Ibn Battouta. In addition, there are sites at the border posts of Bab Sebta and Mellilia, as well as rest areas of the Mediterranean, Jebha, Tazaghine and Smir M'Diq.  

Abroad, six (6) Marhaba spaces are located at the European ports of Genoa (Italy), Sète and Marseille (France), Motril, Almeria and Algeciras (Spain).

The usual social and medical assistance services are reinforced by the presence of social workers on board the long-haul vessels that were set up during the 2021 edition of the operation. They will remain operational at the level of the Marhaba reception sites deployed by the Foundation in Morocco and abroad.

A workforce of nearly one thousand four hundred (1,400) people including Foundation teams, social workers, doctors, paramedical staff and volunteers, are mobilized to listen to Moroccans residing abroad, assist them and provide them with the necessary support and assistance.

The Marhaba Call Service, managed by the Central Coordination Office (BCC – daily operation monitoring unit) will be available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day for the duration of the operation. The Call Service is accessible directly from Morocco at the toll-free number 080 000 23 23 and 08086 907 93 (an additional number put in place this year).

It is also operational at the following telephone numbers from overseas :  the numbers 00 212 537 20 5566 / 00 212 537 20 6666,  the number 00 39 340 685 93 85 (Genoa, Italy), the numbers 00 33 601 351 071 (Marseille) and 00 33 619 594 359 (Sète) for France, and the numbers 00 34 631 243 474 (Motril), 00 34 612 428 784 (Almeria) and 00 34 612 586 780 (Algeciras) for Spain.

"Thank you for the kind welcome to Morocco", Mrs Biden said Sunday in a tweet addressing the Sovereign, accompanied by "Shukran bzaf!" in Moroccan Arabic dialect.

"It’s an honor to visit one of the United States’ oldest friends", she added.

In a release issued Sunday by the White House, the US First Lady commended the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI to empower women and youth.

"Under His Majesty King Mohammed the Sixth’s leadership, Morocco is encouraging reforms to empower women and youth, reflecting our shared priorities", she said.

The United States is grateful for its "longstanding partnership and friendship with Morocco", she pointed out.

The US First Lady recalled that she was "graciously" received at her arrival Saturday in Marrakech by HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa.

"And as we were getting to know each other, she told me about her work to educate children and young people about the importance of protecting our climate", said Mrs Biden, adding that she was "inspired by her passion". 

"I’m excited to take her story back to the United States, to look for more opportunities to learn from each other", she added.

"Because our world is tied together in immeasurable ways—and that common ground is where the foundation of our shared future must be laid", the US First Lady pointed out.

Mrs Jill Biden arrived in Marrakech on Saturday afternoon for a visit to Morocco.

Her visit to the Kingdom is part of a tour in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe with the aim of promoting the conditions of women and youth around the world, particularly in terms of education, health and empowerment.

"Under His Majesty King Mohammed the Sixth’s leadership, Morocco is encouraging reforms to empower women and youth, reflecting our shared priorities", said Mrs Biden in a statement issued Sunday by the White House.

The United States is grateful for its "longstanding partnership and friendship with Morocco", she pointed out.

The US First Lady recalled that she was "graciously" received at her arrival Saturday in Marrakech by HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa.

"And as we were getting to know each other, she told me about her work to educate children and young people about the importance of protecting our climate", said Mrs Biden, adding that she was "inspired by her passion". 

"I’m excited to take her story back to the United States, to look for more opportunities to learn from each other", she added.

The US First Lady, accompanied by her daughter Ashley Biden and her sister Bobby Jacobs, arrived in Marrakech on Saturday afternoon for a visit to Morocco.

Her visit to the Kingdom is part a tour in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe with the aim of promoting the conditions of women and youth around the world, particularly in terms of education, health and empowerment

The visit of the US First Lady to Morocco is the second following that of 2014, when Mrs. Biden accompanied president Joe Biden, then vice president of the Obama administration, during his participation in the 5th edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) held in November in Marrakech.

Morocco has always been a prime destination for US First Ladies.

This enthusiasm for the Kingdom, a land of welcome and hospitality, demonstrates the standing Morocco enjoys among senior American officials, and underscores the solidity of the long-standing strategic partnership between Morocco and the United States under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

On her arrival at the Association's headquarters, the First Lady of the United States of America was welcomed by AEFE President Zakia Mrini, U.S. Ambassador to Rabat Puneet Talwar and his wife Sattar Sarash, in addition to U.S. Consul General in Casablanca Lawrence Randolph.

Jill Biden then toured the various facilities of this structure, which has received funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

On this occasion, the First Lady of the United States was given explanations on the role and missions of this association, with a focus on the many activities organized by AEFE.

In a special address, Jill Biden welcomed the "longstanding partnership and friendship" with Morocco, saying that "under His Majesty King Mohammed the Sixth’s leadership, Morocco is encouraging reforms to empower women and youth, reflecting our shared priorities."

The First Lady of the United States also said she was inspired by HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa's efforts to raise awareness among children and young people of the importance of preserving the environment.

"I was inspired by her passion and I’m excited to take her story back to the United States, to look for more opportunities to learn from each other."

At the same time, Jill Biden met with women who have benefited from the various vocational training programs provided by the Ennakhil Association, and visited an exhibition area featuring some of the products made by these women, including local produce, cosmetics and embroidery and sewing items.

On this occasion, the women presented Jill Biden with a traditional dress, before posing for a souvenir photo.

Founded in 1997, the Ennakhil Association is an NGO whose missions include defending women's rights through a listening center dedicated to combating gender-based violence, and vocational training for women in vulnerable situations.

In 1998, it set up the first listening center for women victims of gender-based violence outside the Rabat and Casablanca regions. Since then, the Association has provided counseling to over 19,000 women and over 2,000 children who have been victims of violence.

It has also supported around 2,000 cases of victims of gender-based violence before the courts, in collaboration with a host of players, including the relevant authorities, the judicial system, health services and the media.

In September 2016, USAID Morocco allocated a budget of $500,000 to the Ennakhil Association through the Local Works Fund. This funding has enabled the Association to expand its work as an "Intermediary Support Organization" that mentors other civil society organizations, and collaborates effectively with government authorities on behalf of citizens.

Through this program, the Ennakhil Association has trained 30 partner civil society organizations in organizational and technical practices, as well as in the defense of citizens' rights.

In July 2020, USAID Morocco granted the Association Ennakhil additional funding of over $320,000 as part of the fight against COVID-19, to address cases of gender-based violence in the Marrakech-Safi region.

Thanks to this funding, the Association has set up a solidarity restaurant and a training center for women victims of such violence. It has also developed an online platform to provide virtual support to these victims and their families.

Upon her arrival, the first lady of the United States of America was welcomed by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Wali of the Marrakech-Safi region and Governor of the Marrakesh Prefecture, Karim Kassi-Lahlou, the President of the Marrakesh Municipal Council, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, and the President of the Regional Council, Samir Koudar.

During her visit to the various rooms of this historical and educational institution, the First Lady of the United States received explanations on this historical and architectural site of rare beauty, witness to a brilliant stage of the Kingdom's secular history.

Jill Biden was also briefed on the role and missions of this building as a center for Islamic education and learning, focusing mainly on Quranic studies and Islamic sciences.

The Ben Youssef Madrasa, whose architecture is a perfect illustration of Moroccan and Andalusian know-how, had served as a theological faculty and welcomed students from different regions of North Africa and elsewhere.

Founded in 1565 during the reign of the Saadid dynasty by Sultan Abdellah Al-Ghalib, the Madrasa was named after the Merinid Sultan Abu Al Hassan Ali Ibn Othman, also known as Ben Youssef, who reigned at the beginning of the 14th century.

In order to preserve and enhance this cultural and civilizational site rich in history, His Majesty King Mohammed VI had launched in 2017 the restoration works of the Madrasa, which, once completed, have greatly contributed to the enhancement of this emblematic monument.

The investiture ceremony was held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara in the presence of heads of state, government representatives, legislative institutions and international organizations. His Majesty the King's Ambassador to Türkiye Mohamed Ali Lazrak also attended the inauguration.

Earlier in the day, President Erdoğan took the constitutional oath at the Turkish Parliament, marking the official start of his third presidential term, after receiving the inauguration document from the Speaker of Parliament.

After taking the constitutional oath, the head of state visited the mausoleum of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, before proceeding to the Presidential Complex to attend the inauguration ceremony.

As Erdoğan's convoy arrived at the Presidential Complex, 101 cannon shots were fired to mark the ceremony, in which the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, the Turkish Traditional Music Ensemble and the Military Music Orchestra of the Turkish Armed Forces took part.

At the end of the ceremony, President Erdoğan will host a reception in honor of the guests at Çankaya Palace.

On Thursday, the Supreme Election Board announced the final results of the second round of the May 28 presidential election, which showed that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was re-elected with 52.18 percent of the vote.

According to the security source, the police seized a shipment of psychotropic tablets that was carefully concealed in the spare wheel of the vehicle, and arrested the 42-year-old driver.

The suspect, a Moroccan national, has been placed under the judicial investigation carried out by Nador's judicial police, under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office, in order to determine further ramifications of this criminal activity.

"The Spain-Morocco permanent group on migration [...] is an institutional framework that [...] has formed the permanent basis of an exceptional partnership on migration between the two countries," Castro Fernández told MAP.

This statement is "supported by concrete actions that make it [the Morocco-Spain partnership] today a model of North-South cooperation," she further noted on the sidelines of the 21st meeting of the Group, which took place on Friday in Madrid.

In this regard, the Spanish official voiced her wish to see this "successful" experience "extended to other countries," noting that Rabat and Madrid "are committed to continuing this experience with a global approach that reconciles multiple dimensions and contributes to jointly addressing and managing migratory flows from a human and security perspective."

Castro Fernández, who welcomed the "success" of this group, maintained that both parties are determined to "increase circular migration projects, strengthen cooperation in surveillance, and expand integration policies and the fight against racism and xenophobia."

The newspaper notes that Morocco's ambition is to become the most important technological center in Africa and a gateway to the continent, adding that the creation of GITEX Africa responds to the Kingdom's desire to achieve this ambition.

"Through this event, Morocco aims to bring together technology giants, start-ups, investors, governments and academics to create joint initiatives," the newspaper continues, adding that the Kingdom also attaches great importance to the fact that its initiatives must take place on its soil.

"Human capital is one of the country's most powerful resources, with around 12,000 engineers and between 10,000 and 12,000 technicians graduating every year, which represents a significant human resource," he stressed.

"If these resources are invested and properly targeted, significant achievements can be made for Morocco in the digital field, and the Kingdom will become a hub in North Africa and Africa in general, which will contribute to the development of its economy," the Israeli daily said.