Morocco and Lebanon sign three landmark agreements to expand judicial cooperation

Yesterday 16:10

Rabat — Morocco and Lebanon have moved to deepen their judicial partnership with the signing of three agreements designed to improve cooperation in criminal matters and make cross-border legal procedures more effective.

The agreements were signed in Rabat during a working visit by Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Amine Nassar. Morocco’s Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and his Lebanese counterpart formally concluded the instruments covering mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, the transfer of convicted persons and the extradition of wanted individuals.

The new framework comes as both countries seek to strengthen their ability to respond to criminal activity that increasingly extends beyond national borders. By establishing clearer mechanisms for judicial coordination, the agreements are intended to facilitate cooperation between the competent authorities of Morocco and Lebanon.

A broader framework for criminal justice cooperation

The three conventions are also expected to bring the two countries' legal and judicial systems closer together. Their provisions aim to streamline administrative and judicial procedures while taking into account the interests of Moroccan and Lebanese nationals dealing with legal matters in either country.

Beyond criminal cooperation, the Rabat meeting opened discussions on expanding the bilateral legal partnership. The two sides examined the possibility of negotiating additional agreements covering other areas of justice and law, while also considering more frequent institutional exchanges.

Officials agreed on the importance of organizing meetings focused on professional experience and best practices. Such exchanges are intended to support the modernization of judicial administrations, strengthen institutional capabilities and develop the skills of personnel working within both systems.

Morocco and Lebanon look to expand judicial ties

Speaking to Morocco’s official news agency MAP, Abdellatif Ouahbi described the agreements as an important step in reinforcing judicial cooperation between two countries linked by longstanding historical ties.

The Moroccan minister also pointed to the possibility of concluding further agreements in the future, including in the field of training. Such initiatives could provide a broader platform for the exchange of expertise between judicial institutions in the two countries.

Adel Amine Nassar, for his part, welcomed the progress made in bilateral judicial cooperation. He also praised Morocco’s development momentum and highlighted the Kingdom’s continued support for Lebanon.

The signing ceremony brought together senior officials from both sides. Morocco was represented notably by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Justice, while the Lebanese delegation included Prosecutor General Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj and Hala Kairouz, Chargée d’affaires ad interim at the Lebanese Embassy in Rabat.

The three conventions establish a new operational foundation for Morocco-Lebanon judicial cooperation, while the discussions surrounding their signature point toward a broader agenda focused on legal coordination, institutional modernization and professional training.