Morocco to lift house arrest on Islamist leader

The Moroccan government said it is currently engaging dialogue with the leader of an Islamist association to lift the house arrest imposed on him.

A dialogue is underway with Abdeslam Yassine, leader of the "Al-Adl wa Al-Ihssane" association for the settlement of his case, said Ahmed Lahlimi, minister in charge of the government's general affairs.

The official told the London-based "Asharq Al-Awsat" daily that Yassine's case could have been settled, if there had not been an obstacle that delayed the settlement. "However, this does not mean that the problem will remain pending."

Touching on the case of the opposition figure, Abraham Serfaty, currently living in France, Lahlimi criticized the latter's "contradictory" attitudes, which complicate the government's task in taking a clear decision on his case. The Moroccans are called, by virtue of allegiance, to respect certain values, like the country's territorial integrity, while Serfaty's attitude fluctuates between many positions which are against the national will regarding the Sahara issue, Lahlimi said.

These contradictions complicate Serfaty's file and raise questions whether this man willingly seeks to leave his problem pending in order benefit from a media campaign, Lahlimi said.