Morocco- Ban Ki moon s Statements Hurt Our Feelings: Benkirane

3/12/2016 2:48:30 PM

(MENAFN- Morocco World News) Abdelilah Benikirane Morocco’s Head of Government expressed his concerns over United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statements during his visit to the Tindouf camps last weekend.

“The United Nations Security General hurt the feelings of Moroccans” Benkirane said during an extraordinary session of the Moroccan Parliament held in Rabat earlier today in response to Ban Ki-moon's unprecedented statements about the Western Sahara. Benkirane stated that the UN chief 'dropped his impartiality and neutrality during his visit to the region.'

“Not only did the UNSG drop his impartiality and neutrality during his visit to Bir Lahlou when he made these statements but by using symbols he also showed a condemnedleniency with a fictitious entity that lacks the attributes of a state recognized by international law as well as the United Nations itself” the Head of Government said.

“These statements affect the credibility of United nations” he added.

Echoing the statement issued on Tuesday by the Moroccan government Benkirane pointed out that the UN chief made statements that go beyond the mandate entrusted to him by the Security Council.

“The United Nations Security General has overstepped the goals he set for his visit to the region and went all the way to use the term “occupation” to describe Morocco’s sovereignty over his southern provinces. This is unprecedented in the terminology used by the United Nation” he noted.

According to the Head of Government Ki-Moon’s statements 'lack any legal or political basis and are a violation to international law and the UN practice.'

Ban Ki-Moon had previously agreed to visit Morocco twice in the past but he later changed his mind said Benkirane adding that the UNSG’s last visit on March 4-6 took place while King Mohammed VI was in an official visit outside of Morocco.

Today's session of the parliament was attended by all ministers and almost all MP’s and councilors.

“This is a symbolic moment for representatives of Moroccan people to express their position over Ban Ki-Moon’s statements and to express their unanimity regarding the Moroccan Sahara”the head of government concluded.

At the end of the session all members of the government as well as representatives of the two houses of parliament stood for a long ovation and sung the Moroccan anthem.

Moroccan political parties and trade unions have decided to organize a march on Sunday in Rabat to protest the statements made by the United Nations Secretary General.

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