By Hadi Fornaji.
Tripoli, 30 July:
Libya and Morocco have signed an agreement to ease the movement of their citizens in both countries. . . .[restrict]It follows complaints about the way Libyan citizens visiting Morocco have been treated. They are being photographed on arrival and departure. Many have described the experience as humiliating.
No other Arab citizens visiting Morocco are treated in the same way, nor does any other Arab state single out Libyans in such a manner.
Just over a week ago, Libya formally complained to Morocco about it, insisting it be stopped.
The Moroccans, who claimed that the photographing was for “security” purposes, have moved quickly to meet Libyan demands. A team of Moroccan officials flew in to negotiate the agreement.
Signed in Tripoli by the Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ramadan Bazama, and Ahmed Attazi, head of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Maghreb Department, it covers a range of measures to facilitate the movement of Libyans and Moroccans in both countries. Speaking after the signing, Attazi said it had been agreed that Libyan visas would no longer be required for many categories of Moroccan visitors. He added that it had also been agreed to convene, as soon as possible, a meeting of the Joint Libyan Moroccan Commission for Consular Affairs and Social Development in order to look into any other matters needing to be addressed.
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