New York (UN), March 13, 2012 (MAP)
Morocco’s ambassador to the United Nations Mohamed Loulichki showcased on Monday the reform process initiated by the Kingdom which led to more individual and social freedoms over the past decade.
In Morocco, the reforms undertaken for over a decade under the leadership of King Mohammed VI led to a historic democratic impulse and created more space for individual and social freedoms, he said.
Loulichki was speaking at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on “the challenges and opportunities presented by the changes in the Arab world with respect to international peace and security.”
Referring to Morocco’s experience in the consolidation of democracy, the Moroccan diplomat recalled that the country has taken “key measures leading to deep constitutional reforms and transparent legislative elections that led to the setting up of a new government that has undertaken to fight against corruption.”
He also voiced Morocco’s willingness “to continue to share its experience with its brothers in all areas, including that of capacity building in terms of rule of law.”
Regarding the situation in the Arab Maghreb and the Middle East in light of the Arab Spring, the Moroccan diplomat said no state in the region can, by itself, face terrorism and ensure democracy, hence there is a need to strengthen regional cooperation.
On the Middle East, Loulichki felt that no one can minimize the challenges in this region which has recently seen an escalation of violence.
The diplomat spoke out against the occupation policy pursued by Israel in spite of the signed agreements, which is “the biggest challenge and the greatest threat to stability and security in the region.”
“Israel continues its settlement activities, construction of the wall and the blockade of Gaza, without leaving the possibility of resuming negotiations for a just and lasting peace,” he observed, noting that “it is this urgent challenge that the Security Council should address and attempt to resolve as quickly as possible.”
Commenting on the achievements of the Arab Spring, Loulichki found that the changes continue in the direction of democracy in Tunisia.
Turning to Libya, the diplomat said that the Libyan people enjoy a better situation than in the past 40 years, now with a “united and inclusive democratic state.”
He also commended the commitment of the Egyptian people to democracy and justice.
Regarding Syria, he regretted the “tragedy” that saw the Syrian people for a year, fearing a civil war.
“Morocco welcomes the appointment of Mr. Kofi Annan as Joint United Nations and the Arab League special envoy and hopes that his efforts contribute to stopping the violence, allow unimpeded humanitarian access and lead to open a national dialogue,” said the diplomat.
“We want to speak with one voice in implementing the resolutions of the Arab League,” he said during the debate chaired by British Foreign Minister William Hague, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the 15-nation Council for March.
