• Home
  • News
    • Africa
    • International
    • International News
    • Maghreb
    • Algeria
  • Politics
  • Business
    • International
    • Maghreb
    • Middle-East
    • Morocco
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Essays
    • Letters
    • Op-Eds
    • Voices
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • Book and Movie Reviews
    • History
    • Profiles and interviews
    • Upcoming Events
  • Features
  • Society
    • Expatriates
    • Gender issues
    • Portraits
    • Ramadan
    • Religion
  • Education
  • Covid-19
  • Western Sahara
    • Autonomy plan
    • History
Search
  • About Us
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Contribute
  • Editorial Team
    • Contributors
    • Correspondents
    • Editorial Board
Morocco World News Morocco World News
  • Home
  • News
    • Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain
      Covid-19

      Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain

      Departing US Ambassador Visits Head of Morocco’s Security Services
      Morocco

      Departing US Ambassador Visits Head of Morocco’s Security Services

      Rabbi Asor Claims COVID-19 Vaccines ‘Make People Gay’
      International

      Rabbi Asor Claims COVID-19 Vaccines ‘Make People Gay’

      Morocco’s OCP Group Among Finalists of 2021 Franz Edelman Award
      Economy

      Morocco’s OCP Group Among Finalists of 2021 Franz Edelman Award

      Morocco Renews Support for Yemen’s Stability, Sovereignty
      Morocco

      Morocco Renews Support for Yemen’s Stability, Sovereignty

      AllAfricaInternationalInternational NewsMaghrebAlgeria
  • Politics
    • Departing US Ambassador Visits Head of Morocco’s Security Services
      Morocco

      Departing US Ambassador Visits Head of Morocco’s Security Services

      Morocco Renews Support for Yemen’s Stability, Sovereignty
      Morocco

      Morocco Renews Support for Yemen’s Stability, Sovereignty

      David Fisher Biden Will Build on Trump’s Western Sahara Breakthrough
      Morocco

      David Fischer: Biden Will Build on Trump’s Western Sahara Breakthrough

      Morocco Ranks 53rd in 2021 Military Strength Report, Climbs 3 Spots
      Morocco

      Morocco Ranks 53rd in 2021 Military Strength Report, Climbs 3 Spots

      Visit of King Mohammed VI to Israel Depends on Re-Launch of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations
      Morocco

      Visit of King Mohammed VI to Israel Depends on Re-Launch of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations

  • Business
    • Morocco’s OCP Group Among Finalists of 2021 Franz Edelman Award
      Economy

      Morocco’s OCP Group Among Finalists of 2021 Franz Edelman Award

      Economy

      Samir Bennis: Morocco Needs to End Language Barriers to Attract Investments

      Oxfam Morocco Needs New Tax System to Reduce Social Inequalities
      Morocco

      Oxfam: Morocco Needs New Tax System to Reduce Social Inequalities

      Minister Rabbah Dakhla - is an International Hub for Energy Investment.
      Africa

      Minister Rabbah: Dakhla is an International Hub for Energy Investments

      Morocco’s Agricultural Production to Increase in 2021
      Economy

      Morocco’s Agricultural Production to Increase in 2021

      AllInternationalMaghrebMiddle-EastMorocco
  • Opinion
    • Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge
      Culture

      Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge

      The US-Morocco-Israel Agreement and the Triumph of Pragmatism
      Opinion

      The US-Morocco-Israel Agreement and the Triumph of Pragmatism

      Casablanca Floods Unearth Shocking Lack of Accountability
      Editorials

      Casablanca Floods Unearth Shocking Lack of Accountability

      Op-ed

      Historical and Legal Bases of Morocco’s Sovereignty over Western Sahara

      Op-ed

      How UN Language on Western Sahara Creates a Point of No Return

      AllEditorialsEssaysLettersOp-EdsVoices
  • Lifestyle
    • Dakhla Crowned Dream Destination 2021
      Highlights on Morocco

      Dakhla Crowned Dream Destination 2021

      Documentaries’ allure lies in narratives of unfiltered real events that might reveal shocking and unsettling truths.
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Six Shocking and Unsettling Documentaries You Must Watch

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19
      Casablanca

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19

      Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge
      Culture

      Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow

      AllCultureBook and Movie ReviewsHistoryProfiles and interviewsUpcoming Events
  • Features
    • Documentaries’ allure lies in narratives of unfiltered real events that might reveal shocking and unsettling truths.
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Six Shocking and Unsettling Documentaries You Must Watch

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow

      Moroccan Visual Artist MACHIMA’s Mural Art in Morocco’s Cities
      Culture

      Moroccan Visual Artist MACHIMA’s Mural Art in Morocco’s Cities

      Revenge Porn Case Shows Morality Laws Are Mission Impossible
      Features

      Revenge Porn Case Shows Morality Laws Are Mission Impossible

      Smart Ways to Make 2021 a Better Year Than 2020
      Culture

      Smart Ways to Make 2021 a Better Year Than 2020

  • Society
    • Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain
      Covid-19

      Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain

      Rabbi Asor Claims COVID-19 Vaccines ‘Make People Gay’
      International

      Rabbi Asor Claims COVID-19 Vaccines ‘Make People Gay’

      COVID-19 Number of Patients in Morocco Reached 16,481
      Covid-19

      COVID-19: Number of Patients in Morocco Reached 16,481

      EU Official: Morocco’s Commitment to Combat Violence Against Women Is ‘Excellent’
      Highlights on Morocco

      EU Official: Morocco’s Commitment to Combat Violence Against Women Is ‘Excellent’

      Chief Rabbi Pinto Opens 1st Jewish Kindergarten in Morocco
      Morocco

      Chief Rabbi Pinto Opens 1st Jewish Kindergarten in Morocco

      AllExpatriatesGender issuesPortraitsRamadanReligion
  • Education
    • Documentaries’ allure lies in narratives of unfiltered real events that might reveal shocking and unsettling truths.
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Six Shocking and Unsettling Documentaries You Must Watch

      COVID-19 Impacts Foreign Students Enrollment in Morocco
      Education

      COVID-19 Impacts Foreign Students Enrollment in Morocco

      Morocco's UM6P, MIT Launch Joint Program for Youth Entrepreneurship
      Education

      Morocco’s UM6P, MIT Launch Joint Program for Youth Entrepreneurship

      Seven useful languages you should learn
      Education

      Seven Useful Languages You Should Learn This Year

      Morocco to Cancel 109 Vocational Training Courses for Lack of Jobs
      Education

      Morocco to Cancel 109 Vocational Training Courses for Lack of Jobs

  • Covid-19
    • Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain
      Covid-19

      Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain

      COVID-19 Number of Patients in Morocco Reached 16,481
      Covid-19

      COVID-19: Number of Patients in Morocco Reached 16,481

      COVID-19 Morocco Records 806 New Cases
      Covid-19

      COVID-19: Morocco Records 806 New Cases

      Morocco Records 1,240 New COVID-19 Cases Out of 19,823 Tested
      Covid-19

      Morocco Records 1,240 New COVID-19 Cases Out of 19,823 Tested

      Number of Active COVID-19 Cases in Morocco Reaches 17,161
      Covid-19

      Number of Active COVID-19 Cases in Morocco Reaches 17,161

  • Western Sahara
    • Chile Supports Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
      Highlights on Morocco

      Chile Supports Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

      Qatar Stands With Morocco, Supports Autonomy Plan
      Western Sahara

      Qatar Stands With Morocco, Supports Autonomy Plan

      Bourita Urges Europe to Support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
      Morocco

      Bourita Urges Europe to Support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

      French MP: Morocco ‘Can Count on France’ on Western Sahara
      Western Sahara

      French MP: Morocco ‘Can Count on France’ on Western Sahara

      Forty Countries Join US, Morocco at Conference on Autonomy Plan
      Western Sahara

      Forty Countries Join US, Morocco at Conference on Autonomy Plan

      AllAutonomy planHistory
  • Home
  • Food
    • Casablanca’s Franklin Roosevelt Starbucks Among World’s ‘Most Beautiful’
      Food

      Casablanca’s Franklin Roosevelt Starbucks Among World’s ‘Most Beautiful’

      Cuisine

      Moroccan Chef Hamid Miss Celebrates Morocco’s Cuisine in France

      Cuisine

      Moroccan Cuisine: Nine Must-Visit Restaurants in Rabat

      Olive Oil in Morocco: Health Benefits of Moroccan Virgin Olive Oil
      Cuisine

      Morocco’s Organic Olive Oil: Health Benefits of Moroccan Virgin Olive Oil

      7 Best Restaurants in Casablanca
      Casablanca

      Where to Eat in Morocco: 7 Best Restaurants in Casablanca

      AllHealth and DietRecipesRestaurant Reviews
  • Travel
    • 5 Historical Mausoleums You Should Visit in Morocco
      Culture

      5 Historical Mausoleums You Should Visit in Morocco

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
      Culture

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit

      Laayoune Airport: Air traffic down 51% at the end of November
      Morocco

      Laayoune Airport: Air traffic down 51% at the end of November

      Royal Air Maroc to Launch New Flights From Casablanca To Dubai
      Morocco

      Royal Air Maroc to Launch New Flights From Casablanca To Dubai

      he City of Ouarzazate, Morocco Africa’s Hollywood
      Cinema

      The City of Ouarzazate, Morocco: Africa’s Hollywood

      AllExperiencesHotel ReviewsWhere to visit
  • Culture
    • Documentaries’ allure lies in narratives of unfiltered real events that might reveal shocking and unsettling truths.
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Six Shocking and Unsettling Documentaries You Must Watch

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19
      Casablanca

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19

      Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge
      Culture

      Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow

      Moroccan Visual Artist MACHIMA’s Mural Art in Morocco’s Cities
      Culture

      Moroccan Visual Artist MACHIMA’s Mural Art in Morocco’s Cities

      AllBook and Movie ReviewsHistoryProfiles and interviewsUpcoming Events
  • Style
    • Smart Ways to Make 2021 a Better Year Than 2020
      Culture

      Smart Ways to Make 2021 a Better Year Than 2020

      Travel to Morocco: 6 Unique Moroccan Souvenirs
      Highlights on Morocco

      Travel to Morocco: 6 Unique Moroccan Souvenirs

      Hassan Hajjaj Somewhere Between Modernity and Tradition
      Culture

      Hassan Hajjaj: Somewhere Between Modernity and Tradition

      Designer Ghitta Laskrouif Sheds Light on Sustainable Fashion in Morocco
      Fashion

      Designer Ghitta Laskrouif Sheds Light on Sustainable Fashion in Morocco

      Adidas Adds Moroccan Tile Pattern to Iconic ‘Stan Smith’ Shoe
      Fashion

      Adidas Adds Moroccan Tile Pattern to Iconic ‘Stan Smith’ Shoe

      AllFashionInterior DesignShopping
  • Places
    • “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19
      Casablanca

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19

      Global Shapers Community Opens Hub in Morocco’s Laayoune
      Economy

      Global Shapers Community Opens Hub in Morocco’s Laayoune

      Casablanca Floods: Lydec Breaks Silence, Tries to Make Up
      Administrative

      Casablanca Floods: Lydec Breaks Silence, Tries to Make Up

      Collapsed Building in Casablanca Killed 3 Victims, Including 1 Child
      Casablanca

      Collapsed Building in Casablanca Killed 3 Victims, Including 1 Child

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
      Culture

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit

      AllCasablancaFezMarrakechRabatTangier
  • Highlights
  • Events
  • Moroccans of the world
  • Media
  • Services
Home News Maghreb The Role of Algeria in Libya

The Role of Algeria in Libya

By Anna Mahjar-Barducci

Staff Writer
By
Staff Writer
-
Sep 16, 2011
Spread the love

By Anna Mahjar-Barducci

September 16, 2011

Hudson New York

Algeria is soon scheduled to host a conference, with the presence of Western diplomats, on the danger of terrorist activities in the aftermath of the Arab revolutions. Although there is, of course, the danger of Islamists emerging taking effectively to take over the region, the Algerian government hardly seems to be the suitable interlocutor in matters relating to either counterterrorism or democracy.

When embers of the Gaddafi family, according to media reports, escaped to Algeria.at the end of August — when Muammar Gaddafi’s second wife, Safia; two of his sons, Mohammed and Hannibal, and his daughter Aisha managed to cross the border and find refuge in the neighboring country — not only did the Libyan rebels consider the Algerian government’s hospitality towards the Gaddafis an act of aggression; the same opinion was shared by the Algerian opposition, who accused Algerian government of trying to suppress any popular democratic hopes.

Although the Algerian government has argued that the reason it gave the Gaddafi family safe haven was merely for humanitarian reasons, the two military dictatorships, Algeria and Libya, have, since the 1980s, shared same stances on regional issues — including the wish to wrest the Western Sahara, controlled by the Polisario, from Morocco; and a hostility toward Israel.

The Polisario

The Polisario is a politico-military organization currently fighting Morocco to take control of the former Western Sahara, currently under Morocco’s sovereignty, and win independence for that region. According to a source from the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC), on the French website, geotribune.com, some 556 fighters belonging to the Polisario Front have been apprehended by the forces of the NTC.

The Polisario’s headquarters are based in the Algerian town of Tindouf, close to the Moroccan border.. The African Press Agency claims that the Algerian government still supports Gaddafi in his attempts to recruit mercenaries — especially from the Polisario: “The Algerian government spares no effort to facilitate the arrival of new reinforcements for Gaddafi to shield his regime from falling and avoid the repercussions on Algeria’s stability that may arise from such a collapse.”

Although Polisario mercenaries have been captured, primarily in the city of Zawiya and in the Bab El Aziziah compound in Tripoli, according to geotribune.com,. full evidence of their presence in Libya had also been found at the Algerian Embassy in Tripoli, attacked by insurgents on August 22. According to the same source, many Polisario combatants were killed during the fights that preceded the collapse of the Gaddafi regime; others managed to flee.

The presence of Polisario militias fighting alongside the Gaddafi regime wss denounced from the time the uprising began. As the Moroccan Agency’s “Maghreb Arabe Presse” indicated, about two weeks into the revolt, “Polisario elements [were] recruited by the Libyan regime to repress the insurrection, protect the capital Tripoli and to take back cities under the control of rebels.” This report was later confirmed by the former Libyan Minister for Immigration, Ali Errichi, who had defected to the rebels, and who declared on the Washington-based TV channel El Mohajir, that “mercenaries from the Polisario Front of Western Sahara were fighting alongside pro-Gaddafi forces in the war against the Libyan people.”

The Moroccan American Center for Policy reported that Errishi also condemned members of the Polisario for their “hypocrisy” in claiming to fight for freedom and progressive ideals, but then joining the Gaddafi’s mercenary army.

News items reported, in the beginning of the Libyan uprising, that Gaddafi himself spoke directly to Muhammad Abdelaziz, the leader of the Polisario Front, to ask for help. Gaddafi has supported the Polisario against Morocco, both financially and logistically, since the mid-1970s, by providing equipment for an entire army. At Gaddafi’s request, over 200 well-trained Polisario fighters, proficient in the techniques of guerrilla warfare, were selected, and armed with Kalashnikovs, grenades, and rocket launchers, and sent on their way aboard 4X4s headed for Libya.

The presence of Polisario mercenaries in Libya has sparked, from the beginning of the uprising, heavy tension between the NTC and Algeria. The NTC has accused the Algerian leadership of actively supporting the Libyan dictator by facilitating the transit of armed troops to Libya. Criticism has also come from the Algerian opposition, such as the political scientist Lahouari Addi, who, in an interview to the French daily La Croix, said that “Polisario mercenaries could not have reached Libya without the help of Algiers.”

Recognition of the NTC

Under international pressure, Algeria recently announced that it would recognize the NTC, even though the Algerian government had continually opposed a no-fly zone over Libya. The toppling of Gaddafi is hard to digest for the Algerian regime, scared that the same scenario could well be repeated in Algeria. The Algerian paper El Watan wrotes that the Algerian dictatorship fears for its own survival, and that is why it stood until the end on the side of the Tunisian dictator Ben Ali, and still continues to support the Gaddafis.

Algeria claims that the reason for its initial reluctance towards the NTC was not because it fears democracy, but because is worried that the Islamists will take over Libya. These claims sound more like an effort to discredit the NTC. The Algerian regime itself is not clear from links with terrorism. In many instances, the Algerian secular opposition have questioned whether Islamist groups were manipulated or controlled by the Algerian secret service. Further, the Algerian government is backing the Polisario, a terrorist organization in the past, supported by Cuba, and with alleged connections with Al-Qaeda.

Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
WhatsApp
Email
ReddIt
Pinterest
    Staff Writer

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain
    Covid-19

    Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain

    Departing US Ambassador Visits Head of Morocco’s Security Services
    Morocco

    Departing US Ambassador Visits Head of Morocco’s Security Services

    Rabbi Asor Claims COVID-19 Vaccines ‘Make People Gay’
    International

    Rabbi Asor Claims COVID-19 Vaccines ‘Make People Gay’

    Morocco’s OCP Group Among Finalists of 2021 Franz Edelman Award
    Economy

    Morocco’s OCP Group Among Finalists of 2021 Franz Edelman Award

    Morocco Renews Support for Yemen’s Stability, Sovereignty
    Morocco

    Morocco Renews Support for Yemen’s Stability, Sovereignty

    2020 CHAN Morocco Begins Title Defense With 1-0 Win Against Togo
    Morocco

    2020 CHAN: Morocco Begins Title Defense With 1-0 Win Against Togo

    MOST WATCHED VIDEOS
    Polisario Supporters Storm Moroccan Consulate General in Valencia

    Polisario Supporters Storm Moroccan Consulate General in Valencia

    Tamba François Koundouno - Nov 15, 2020
    Rania Sara Moroccan sisters the Voice Kids France

    The Voice Kids: French-Moroccan Sisters Amaze Judges to Reach Finals

    Diaspora Oct 4, 2020
    Video Shows Children Witnessing, Surviving Beirut Explosion

    Video Shows Children Witnessing, Surviving Beirut Explosion

    News Aug 5, 2020
    Beirut Explosion Leaves Royal Air Maroc Agency in Ruins

    Video: Beirut Explosion Leaves Royal Air Maroc Agency in Ruins

    International Aug 5, 2020
    ‘Morocco’s Warrior Women’ The Inspirational Riders Taking on Fantasia

    ‘Morocco’s Warrior Women’: The Inspirational Riders Taking on Fantasia

    Culture Jul 29, 2020
    MOST READ

    LIFESTYLE UPDATES

    Dakhla Crowned Dream Destination 2021
    Highlights on Morocco Jan 18, 2021

    Dakhla Crowned Dream Destination 2021

    Documentaries’ allure lies in narratives of unfiltered real events that might reveal shocking and unsettling truths.
    Book and Movie Reviews Jan 17, 2021

    Six Shocking and Unsettling Documentaries You Must Watch

    “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19
    Casablanca Jan 17, 2021

    “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19

    EXPERIENCES

    • Culture Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
    • Experiences California to Morocco: A Student’s COVID-19 Diary of Self-Discovery California to Morocco: A Student’s COVID-19 Diary of Self-Discovery
    • Experiences Travel in Morocco: Exploring Tinmel Mosque, a Hidden Gem Travel in Morocco: Exploring Tinmel Mosque, a Hidden Gem

    MOST READ

    MOST READ OPINIONS
    [getmostpop category=11 range="last30days"]

    Latest Articles

    Morocco Records 1st Case of New COVID-19 Strain

    Departing US Ambassador Visits Head of Morocco’s Security Services

    Rabbi Asor Claims COVID-19 Vaccines ‘Make People Gay’

    Morocco’s OCP Group Among Finalists of 2021 Franz Edelman Award

    Morocco Renews Support for Yemen’s Stability, Sovereignty

    Newsletter

    Invalid email address
    You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
    Morocco World News

    About us

    Morocco World News: Championing Free Speech and Thoughtful Debate Through Journalistic Excellence.

    Morocco World News is dedicated to bringing the news of Morocco and the MENA region to a wide audience without bias or a political agenda.

    Contact us: [email protected]

    DMCA.com Protection Status

    Useful Links

    • About
    • Contributors
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Correspondents
    • Editorial Board
    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non-necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.