LONDON: Morrocco has increased the pressure on Algeria Wednesday as it accused its government of being complicit with its allies, Polisario and Hezbollah in trying to meedle in Rabat national security. Moroccan sources from ministry of foreign affairs said that they understand Algiers need to stand by Polisario, Hezbollah and Iran.
Morocco's Foreign Ministry issued a second communique explaining the reasons behind severing its ties with Iran. The statement said, Rabat has shared unequivocal proof with Tehran, showing that its Lebanese militia Hezbollah has been organising training, as well as weapons supply to Polisario militants. The statement added that Iran's Ambassador in Algiers was responsible for organizing guerilla warfare training and supply of weapons to the Polisario secessionists.
Algeria's foreign ministry issued a statement calling Morocco's accusations unfounded, denying all allegations made about Iran and Lebanese militia Hezbollah's support to Polisario.
Earlier Wednesday, Tehran denied that it was involved in a weapons delivery to the Polisario Front movement seeking independence for Western Sahara after Morocco cut diplomatic ties with Tehran over the allegations.
“Remarks attributed to the foreign minister of Morocco about cooperation between an Iranian diplomat and the Polisario Front” in Western Sahara are “false,” Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Rabat on Tuesday cut diplomatic ties with Iran, accusing the Islamic republic of using its ally Hezbollah to deliver weapons to the Polisario Front.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said “a first shipment of weapons was recently” sent to the Algerian-backed Polisario Front via an “element” at the Iranian embassy in Algiers.
He said Rabat had “irrefutable proof” of Hezbollah’s involvement and said ties were being cut with Tehran in response to Iran “allying itself with” the Polisario.
Hezbollah quickly rejected Rabat’s accusations, blaming the decision on foreign “pressure.”
Riyadh on Wednesday said it “stood by” Rabat’s decision to sever ties with Tehran and “strongly condemns the Iranian interference in Morocco’s internal affairs.”
Morocco maintains that Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony under its control, is an integral part of the kingdom, while the Polisario Front backed by Algeria demands a referendum on self-determination.