Arab League Declines Mediation Role in Spain-Algeria-Morocco Tensions

"The Arab League has adopted a principled position of not intervening in the Sahara issue... Whatever happens between Morocco and Algeria or between a third country and one or the other of these two countries, the position of the League will always be clear: not to intervene unless there is a request, which is not the case," said its Secretary General, Ahmed Abul Gheit, after meeting the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, in Madrid.

For his part, Albares reiterated the Spanish government’s desire to maintain "better relations" with all the countries of the Arab League and in particular with Algeria, which has recalled its ambassador to Madrid since March, after Spain’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. Spain has a "special relationship" with the Arab world in view of the "historical, economic, social and cultural ties" that unite them, the minister recalled, who announced that the government will work to strengthen its ties with this bloc during its EU presidency, which begins in the second half of 2023.

Albares also wished "success" to the next Arab League summit scheduled for November 1 and 2 in Algeria and hopes that concrete decisions will be taken at this meeting, which King Mohammed VI is expected to attend, despite the diplomatic rupture between Algeria and Morocco for more than a year.