Libya–Morocco relations

Libya–Morocco relations is the bilateral relations between Libya and Morocco, two Arab North African and Maghreb countries. Libya has an embassy in Rabat and Morocco has an embassy in Tripoli, which was attacked by ISIS militants in 2015.[1]

Libya–Morocco relations

Libya
Morocco

History

Libya and Morocco share a relatively close bond dated from antiquity. Both are Maghreb nations and used to be under Arab conquest, as well as later adoption of Islam. However, subsequent contact between two was derived by various historic incidents: Morocco went on to develop into an independent Arab-Berber kingdom with a distinct identity; while Libya went to become part of the Ottoman Empire.[2] The end of Ottoman Empire saw both Libya and Morocco falling under colonization, Libya was ruled under the Italians and Morocco under the French and Spanish .[3] Libya would become the first among Maghreb nation to regain independence, as for the result of the World War II and Italian defeat; while Morocco would have to wait until 1956 to gain complete independence from France and Spain. Since then, Libya and Morocco established relations.

Two countries were initially together being monarchies, with King Idris of Libya and Mohammed V of Morocco shared strong personal relationship.[4] However, a massive wave of pan-Arabism came together affected both countries, which caused the fall of Libyan Senussi family; but its Moroccan counterparts were able to survive amidst turbulent relations.

Since then, Morocco and Libya entered a tense chapter, as Libya fell under Muammar Gaddafi. Personal hostilities between two rulers soon escalated into national conflict. Gaddafi meddled on Western Sahara issue, supported Polisario; Hassan II of Morocco's secret relations with Israel caused tensions between two nations.[5] At 1987, Gaddafi was found to have planned for a possible assassination against Hassan II, which was never materialized.[6] Nonetheless, two countries maintained a poor relationship, and distrust from Gaddafi toward Hassan II and later, Mohammed VI of Morocco, prompted Gaddafi to have his own view distance from the Moroccan King; despite two countries used to form a political alliance at 1984 (disbanded after 1986 meeting between Hassan II with Shimon Peres).[7]

Tensions between Libya and Morocco cooled down with the re-integration of Libya to global community, but distrust between two countries still ran high. When Mohammed VI visited Libya in 2001, Gaddafi was found to have called him "my son", which was seen as an insult to Moroccan Royal family.[8] Morocco continued to maintain a unique pro-Western orientation policy while Libya under Gaddafi maintained a pseudo and unstable policy. This divergence would remain until 2011.

After Libyan Revolution

The 2011 Libyan War occurred as Libyans showed disdains against Gaddafi's dictatorship, and the product of Arab Spring, Morocco also suffered protests. However, Morocco was quick to throw support to Libyan revolutionaries against Gaddafi Government and denounced him in Arab League; as well as King Mohammed VI offered political reforms.[9] After the war ended with Gaddafi's death, Morocco expected a great hope of growing tie between two countries.[10] However, violence within Libya soon escalated into the 2014 Libyan War, which torn down much of the country. Morocco, once again, acted as a partner to solve diplomatic problems within various Libyan rival factions, brokering the UN-led faction deal in 2015 to form a unity Government.[11]

Recently however, Morocco has developed its fear toward Algeria's growing influence in Libya, and has attempted to gain hand over the country, as Algeria is Morocco's rival in North Africa.[12]

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References
  1. "Islamic State militants claim attacks on embassies in Libya". Japan Times Online. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  2. LeRoy, Paul E. (19 March 1984). Spencer, William; Hahn, Lorna; Muirragui, Maureen (eds.). "A Contrast of Two North African States: Morocco and Libya". Africa Today. 31 (3): 51–54. JSTOR 4186245.
  3. "HISTORY OF MOROCCO". Historyworld.net. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  4. Abun-Nasr, Jamil M. (20 August 1987). A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781316583340. Retrieved 19 March 2019 – via Google Books.
  5. Gaddafi Up-Close. AuthorHouse. 1 October 2011. ISBN 9781467041843. Retrieved 19 March 2019 – via Google Books.
  6. "1987, when Muammar Gaddafi was planning to assassinate King Hassan II". En.yabiladi.com. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  7. Schumacher, Edward (9 September 1984). "Morocco-Libya Pact: The Aftershock". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  8. "History : When Muammar Gaddafi angered king Mohammed VI by calling him "my son"". En.yabiladi.com. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  9. Kriesberg, Louis (19 March 2019). Realizing Peace: A Constructive Conflict Approach. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190228675. Retrieved 19 March 2019 – via Google Books.
  10. News, Morocco World (20 October 2011). "Death of Gaddafi: A new era is dawning in Moroccan-Libyan relations". Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  11. "Libya rival MPs sign peace deal". Bbc.com. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  12. Stitou, Imad (23 April 2015). "Morocco, Algeria compete over Libya". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
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