Morocco denies plans to dispatch troops to Iraq
Morocco-Iraq, Politics, 6/18/2004

Morocco has flatly denied news reports that the Kingdom has offered to send troops to Iraq.

The spokesman of the Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation on Thursday said the information which quoted "a Minister from an Arab country," is "baseless and wrong."

The Moroccan spokesman said Morocco does not have any plan to dispatch troops to Iraq for whatever reason.

According to these reports, the Arab Minister said Pakistan, Tunisia and Morocco have offered to send troops to protect United Nations staff in Iraq.

"The interim Iraqi government has made it known that it is not opposed to Arab troops joining the force charged with protecting UN staff and buildings, as long as they are not from neighbouring countries," he said.

"Two Arab countries, Tunisia and Morocco, have said they are ready to send troops as well as a major OIC member, Pakistan," the minister added on condition of anonymity.

However, he stressed, "These forces will not be in charge of security in Iraq as their mission is solely focused on the protection of UN personnel."

Previous Stories:
  King voices 'acting' support to new Iraqi leader   (6/3/2004)
  Sit-in in Rabat to protest abuses against Iraqi prisoners   (5/15/2004)
  Moroccan Speaker condemns as 'immoral' US military abuse against Iraqi Detainees   (5/12/2004)

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