U.S. official: Morocco nullifies the exercise African Lion with the U.S. Army

After proposing against all odds, an anti Moroccan draft resolution on the Sahara to the UN to extend the mandate of MINURSO to monitor human rights, the Obama administration has not had to wait too long for its response on the part of Morocco.

Thus, according to U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, cited by the U.S. news agency Associated Press (AP), the kingdom  canceled at the last minute exercise African Lion, by ordering 900 FAR soldiers who were deployed with their equipment in preparation for participation in the bilateral exercise with the U.S. military to store their equipment and to withdraw immediately from the scope of practice.

 

U.S. officials added that the Moroccan authorities have not at this time issued any comment on the cancellation.

 

Exercise African Lion is held annually between the U.S. Army and the Royal Moroccan Armed Foreces , for training provided by live fire,large  maneouver classes, such as artillery, amphibious operations and training flights at low altitude.

 

This year the African Lion pitted, 1400 U.S. soldiers and 900 Moroccan soldiers, it was to take place in the presence of observers from the French and German armies.

 

According to the spokesman for the U.S. Africa Command (Africom), Eric Elliott, U.S. troops and their equipment were being made when the last-minute withdrawal of Morocco fell, evoking the same reaction. The high financial cost of such a commitment and the  Moroccan cancellation harmed the U.S. Army which he said relies heavily on this year "because it gives us the opportunity to work with Morocco which military is the best organised force and most professional of the African continent, "he said.