MOROCCO: U.S. TO OPEN ANTI-TERROR MILITARY BASE
Rabat, 18 Oct. (AKI) - The US is considering to open a permanent military base in Morocco or Algeria, according to a report in Moroccan daily al-Haraka published on Wednesday. According to the paper, the project has gained momentum after the announcement last month by Al-Qaeda's second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri that the Algerian-based Salafite Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) had joined the international terror network.
Morocco, along with Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Mauritania, is one of NATO's partner countries in its 10-year old Mediterranean Dialogue forum to enhance regional security and stability through political and military cooperation. Following a decision taken by NATO leaders at their Istanbul summit in 2004, the Mediterranean Dialogue was upgraded to a genuine partnership.
The US defence department is seeking to enhance its ties with allies such as Morocco and Tunisia, to gain long-term access to bases in Mali and Algeria and consolidate aircraft refueling agreements with Senegal and Uganda, according to the New York Times.
Morocco, along with Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Mauritania, is one of NATO's partner countries in its 10-year old Mediterranean Dialogue forum to enhance regional security and stability through political and military cooperation. Following a decision taken by NATO leaders at their Istanbul summit in 2004, the Mediterranean Dialogue was upgraded to a genuine partnership.
The US defence department is seeking to enhance its ties with allies such as Morocco and Tunisia, to gain long-term access to bases in Mali and Algeria and consolidate aircraft refueling agreements with Senegal and Uganda, according to the New York Times.
posted by Marko at 10/18/2006 08:20:00 AM
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