"It is impressive to see how the government and other stakeholders are working to coordinate the reconstruction efforts that will be carried out in the coming months," Flasbarth told MAP following his talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.

The German official, who was accompanied by a large delegation, also expressed his country's desire to provide assistance following this painful ordeal.

Flasbarth welcomed, on this occasion, the fruitful exchanges he had with Bourita, stressing that his visit to the Kingdom was an opportunity to express Germany's solidarity and support in these difficult circumstances.

"Under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, our country, as a State, thanks to the mobilization of its authorities and services and the solidarity and mutual assistance shown by all Moroccans" has successfully managed the impact of this natural disaster, Baitas underlined at a press briefing following the weekly cabinet meeting, adding that Al Haouz earthquake has required the mobilization and the intervention of the State with its various institutions in order to provide assistance to the affected population.

And naturally, "the government is one of those stakeholders" that intervened to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster and has worked according to a clear and well-defined approach in accordance with the High Royal Guidelines, he pointed out, stressing that HM the King chaired three important and key meetings over ten days, during which priorities were defined in a precise manner.

Baitas also noted that "the ministers concerned are making visits to the disaster areas", underlining that a census of the victims is currently being carried out on the ground in the affected regions, and that "the distribution of subsidies will take place as soon as the data is available".

Data relating to the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure is also being collected, especially roads and schools, as well as other facilities providing social services to citizens, with a view to rebuilding and strengthening infrastructure and promoting the local economy of these localities, he added.

All the departments concerned are present on the ground and are closely monitoring research and census operations, he said, affirming that the government is mobilized to provide a prompt and effective response to these challenges despite the meteorological constraints.

In this regard, the minister noted the need to continue the work with the same momentum in order to preserve the achievements and open a new stage of reconstruction for the disaster areas, with the speed and efficiency that promote the strengthening of local economy local and a decent life.

Regarding the Natural Disaster Fund, Baitas affirmed that “it is activated and credits are allocated to it during each fiscal year, but the tragedy of the earthquake has generated great repercussions”, noting that HM the King has given His High Instructions so that the reconstruction and general rehabilitation program of the disaster areas be a model of integrated and balanced territorial development.

« A great loss for the nation, the late Aïcha El Khattabi was a patriot deeply attached to the constants of the Kingdom", said the Belgian-Moroccan Khalid Hanaoui, president of the "Jaliya 24" association.

« She always believed in a united Morocco, and never ceased to be proud of her Moroccan identity and her King," the Nador-born community activist told MAP.

The deceased was a living memory of the Rif region, and her testimonies enriched the history of anti-occupation movements in different regions of the Kingdom, he added, pointing out that history will remember "a Moroccan woman who embodied the voice of wisdom".

For his part, Dutch-Moroccan Aissa Meziani, a member of the Christian Democratic Party (CDA) in the Netherlands, emphasized the qualities of the late Aïcha El Khattabi as a national figure who had always defended the unity of Morocco and the Moroccan people, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

He recalled that HM King Mohammed VI had received the late Aicha El Khattabi, on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the Sovereign's accession to the throne of His glorious ancestors, noting that this event was a source of great pride for the late, but also for all members of the Moroccan community living abroad, who remain very attached to their country of origin.

The death of Aïcha El Khattabi, a patriotic figure who set an example in terms of love of country and attachment to the foundations of the Nation, is a great loss for Morocco, deplored Meziani, calling for the memory of national figures to be preserved, as a source of lessons for rising generations.

The late Aïcha El Khattabi symbolized the values of unity and solidarity that characterize the Moroccan people, and which were once again materialized in the response to the consequences of the Al Haouz earthquake, under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, he noted.

For his part, Kacem Achehboun, an active member of associations in the Netherlands, remembers the deceased as "a fervent defender of the unity of the nation and its sacred constants and causes".

She enshrined the strong attachment of the family of the late Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi and the sons of the Rif region to the August person of His Majesty the King, he said, noting that she firmly believed in the region's development under the High Guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, particularly after the Sovereign's visit to Al Hoceima in 2000, the day after His accession to the Throne of His Glorious Ancestors.

The funeral of the late Aïcha El Khattabi took place on Thursday in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid.

After the Dhuhr and funeral prayers, the deceased was buried in the Errahma cemetery. The funeral of the deceased was attended by members of her family and relatives, as well as by several personalities.

Born in 1942, she lived and studied in Egypt, before returning to the Motherland after the death of her father.

"The two French nationals who were turned back did not request any authorization to report on the Al Haouz earthquake", stressed Baitas during a press briefing at the end of the government council, adding that they had entered Morocco for tourism purposes.

In this respect, the Minister indicated that it was normal for them to be subject to administrative deportation by decision of the competent authorities, which had applied the relevant legal provisions.

Baitas also said that no fewer than 312 foreign journalists, representing 90 media outlets, were involved in covering the earthquake, stressing that they worked in a climate of freedom and transparency in all the affected regions.

"Of this total, 78 journalists, or a quarter, were of French nationality and represented 16 media outlets, 13 of which were accredited to report on the earthquake and three of which had permanent accreditation," explained the Minister.

"Our country has shown that it is a country of transparency and freedoms, which has ensured that all journalists carry out their work in total freedom", he concluded.

UEFA has recognized the best performances of 11 players in the opening matches of the 2023/24 edition. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is represented by right-back Hakimi, who played a decisive role in the Paris club's 2-0 victory over Dortmund at the Parc des Princes. 

The Moroccan international scored PSG's second goal with a brilliant display of skill, capitalizing on a well-placed pass from Vitinha inside the German team's penalty area. After a slick one-two with the Portuguese player, Hakimi elegantly evaded Mats Hummels with a magnificent right-footed strike, then skillfully finished with the outside of his right foot past Gregor Kobel.

- Here's the line-up for Matchday 1 of the Champions League:

Goalkeeper: Ivan Provedel (Lazio).

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris), Strahinja Pavlović (Salzburg), Aleksa Terzić (Salzburg).

Midfielders: Galeno (Porto), Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal), Tetê (Galatasaray), Brais Méndez (Real Sociedad), Casemiro (Man United).

Forwards: João Félix (FC Barcelona), Roko Šimić (Salzburg).

The second Champions League round takes place in two weeks' time.

Following the meeting of the Steering Committee for the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program 2020-2027, chaired by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, Minister Baraka emphasized that the Committee is committed to following the outlined programs. These include desalinating water to alleviate shortages in certain regions and procuring multiple mobile desalination and mineral water treatment units, in accordance with the directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Minister Baraka stressed the importance of strengthening and utilizing wells to address water scarcity in rural areas. Proactive policies are also being pursued to address the challenges faced in these regions, including the deployment of tanker trucks to ensure a stable supply of drinking water to residents.

Efforts are also ongoing to interconnect the Oued El Makhazin and Dar Khroufa dams, which will facilitate the delivery of drinking water to the inhabitants of Tangier.

According to a press release from both Houses, this meeting is being held in accordance with Article 68 of the Constitution. It will be attended by the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget, as well as the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of Relations with Parliament and Government Spokesman.
The meeting is scheduled for 3:00 pm and will take place in the 'Salle Marocaine' (Moroccan Hall) at the House of Representatives' headquarters.

Speaking at the 2023 World Football Summit (WFS) in Seville on Wednesday, the Portuguese minister highlighted the strengths of this solid joint bid for the 2030 World Cup, saying that "this is the first bid of its kind between the two shores of the Mediterranean, Africa and Europe."

The three countries are united in a bid born of the initiative of their national football federations, with the support of their governments," he noted in statements reported by the media, highlighting the "widespread" of football culture in these three nations and the quality of their sports infrastructures.

For the Portuguese government official, this joint project is intended to help celebrate the values of sport, through a World Cup focused on social, economic and sporting sustainability.

According to Correia, the aim is to unite different cultures through sports, which remains a "social force that breaks down borders and language barriers," adding that the commitment of governments, sports federations and society in general is essential in this context.

HM King Mohammed VI announced Morocco's joint bid with Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup on March 14 in Kigali, in a message to mark the presentation of the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Outstanding Achievement Award-2022.

The tripartite Spain-Morocco-Portugal Commission bidding to host the 2030 World Cup held its first meeting last weekend in Madrid. The next meeting will take place on October 4 in Rabat, in the presence of the presidents of the three federations.

With 1,658.32 points, the Atlas Lions maintain their position as Africa's top-ranked team, with Senegal coming in second at 20th place with 1,597.01 points.

Morocco also retains its position as the highest-ranked team in the Arab world, leading the way ahead of Tunisia in 29th place with 1,525.23 points.

On the global stage, Argentina continues to hold the top spot in the FIFA rankings, followed by France and Brazil.

Here is the FIFA Top10 as of September 21, 2023:

01. Argentina

02. France

03. Brazil

04. England

05. Belgium

06. Croatia

07. Netherlands

08. Portugal

09. Italy

10. Spain.

In accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for a swift resumption of economic activities, the Minister visited several tourist accommodation establishments in Marrakech and the Al Haouz province, according to a press release issued by the Tourism, Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy Ministry.

On this occasion, the Minister stressed that most of these establishments had shown great resilience in the face of the earthquake, although some had suffered damage requiring repair work.

The trip to Al Haouz, added the same source, enabled the Minister to meet the region's inhabitants and professionals, find out about their situation, and discuss their employment needs, particularly in key sectors in this part of the country, such as tourism, crafts and the social economy.

The Minister also visited the Marrakech medina (old town), including emblematic sites such as the Jamaa El Fna Square, the Semmarine Souk and the Place des Épices, according to the same source.

"Tourist activity in Marrakech has returned to normal. We confirmed this when we toured the Medina, which continues to be a major attraction for tourists. Admittedly, there was some damage, but it was quickly dealt with. We would like to reassure our partners and future tourists that the situation in Marrakech is stable," said Ammor as quoted in the press release.

Tourism in this region, the press release recalls, is a driving force for other sectors such as handicrafts and the social and solidarity economy, and plays a fundamental role in the daily life of a large section of the population and in its socio-economic development.

"In the run-up to the Annual General Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, scheduled for October 09-15 in Marrakech, public authorities and professionals are actively mobilizing to ensure an exceptional welcome for Morocco's guests," added the press release.

Preparations are well underway at the various host structures visited by the Minister, including the main site at Bab Ighli, hotels and restaurants, with the aim of offering participants and visitors an exceptional experience throughout their stay.