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Morocco condemns attack in Libya that took four American lives including US Ambassador

Morocco’s Minister Delegate of Foreign Affairs Youssef Amrani

 

MACP, The White House (Washington, DC, Sept. 12, 2012) — Morocco’s Minister Delegate of Foreign Affairs, Youssef Amrani, strongly condemned the attack at the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya on Tuesday that took the lives of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

“This senseless and deadly act of violence must be condemned in the strongest terms,” said Amrani.  “It is appalling, unjustifiable, and violates the core tenets of Islam.  We offer our deepest condolences to the American government and people, and our profound compassion to the victims’ families, whose loved ones were taken from them by this tragic incident.”

“We also reproach the acts of intolerance and disrespect towards Islam, or any religion, that serve to spread a climate of hatred and violence, and fan tensions between peoples, religions, and cultures in a sensitive international environment.”

“The government and people of Morocco, with its long tradition of tolerance and dialogue, call upon the wise and moderate powers of the world to undertake positive, constructive initiatives to overcome these kinds of provocative, aggressive actions and attitudes whose consequences threaten the peace and stability of the international community.”

Amrani is in Washington with a senior Moroccan delegation for meetings on Thursday at the State Department  to launch a formal Morocco-US Strategic Dialogue.  The Strategic Dialogue, the first for the US with any country in North Africa, aims to deepen the long partnership between the two nations and address key global, regional, and bilateral issues where they share a vision and interests.

Earlier  in the day, President Barack Obama, accompanied by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the White House rose garden, issued the following statement regarding the tragic incident in Libya:

“I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.

“I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.

“On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya’s transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.

“The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward.”

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