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HM The King expresses Morocco's and Islamic Countries' concern

over agreement on Catholic Church's Heritage in Al Quds

Rabat- HM King Mohammed VI, chairman of Al Quds committee, an arm of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, sent to His Holiness Pope Francis and UNSG Ban Ki-moon two letters in which he expressed "the deep concern we feel in the Kingdom of Morocco and in all Islamic countries concerning the upcoming signature between the state of Vatican and Israel of an amendment of the agreement signed in 1993 between the two parties on the heritage of the Catholic church in the occupied city of Al Quds."

A statement by the royal office said that HM the King underlined that this move is likely to impede efforts made to maintain a climate that is appropriate for the success of peace talks, revived in July 2013 between Palestinians and Israelis, under the US aegis, and which are supposed to take a decision over the final status of eastern Al Quds, among other things.

HM the King added that the signature of this amendment will support the provocative practices of colonization committed by Israel and its serious violations of Al Aqsa mosque, Al Quds and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories, noting that such measures run counter the bases of international law and UN resolutions which stress the need to safeguard the specific identity of the holy city and not undermine its legal status.

The sovereign underscored that Al Quds is at the center of the fierce battle in the Middle East and the node of the political solution in the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, through which we all hope that the sides overcome obstacles hampering a just and comprehensive peace on the basis of a two states solution.

The sovereign said that he is convinced that any agreement with Israel, not taking into consideration the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, will result in a huge disappointment for the peoples of the Islamic world and will not serve the expected peace, at a time when we are urged to find creative and innovative solutions to the issue of Al Quds, city of peace.

Hailing the unwavering determination of His Holiness the Pope and the UNSG regarding the respect of the Palestinians' legitimate rights and their ongoing action to establish peace and understanding in the world, the monarch urged them to take the appropriate measures to prevent the conclusion of any agreement giving legitimacy to Israeli occupation of Al Quds and stirring over one billion Muslims worldwide.

MAP