Issue 235, Year 5 US/Canada: December 15, 2019 www.thearabweekly.com $1.00 Pro-Iran Wind of panic blood trail blows over Sarraj’s in Iraq Tripoli Pages 3, 6, 13 Page 2 Ankara clashes Algeria’s new president with EU as it flexes muscles in reaches out to protesters Mediterranean Thomas Seibert Istanbul but huge uncertainties remain s Turkey hardens its aggres- sive policies in the Eastern Mediterranean and North ► Algeria dodged irreparable damage A Africa, new tensions loom in Ankara’s relations with Europe and the by pulling off an election amid unrest United States. Following a controversial maritime agreement with the government of Lamine Ghanmi local and legislative elections, will Libya, Turkish President Recep Tayyip provide him a grace period. Erdogan said he was ready to send Tunis “I commit myself to redress all troops to the war-torn North African injustices suffered by the Algeri- country. lgeria avoided irrevers- ans during the rule of the gang,” he The deal with the Tripoli govern- ible damage of a potential vowed, referring to the Bouteflika ment triggered criticism from Turkish bloody showdown be- era. But the trial of “corrupt” lead- neighbours and EU members Greece A tween security and pro- ers will continue, Tebboune said. and Cyprus, as well as from the Euro- testers when it carried out its first Tebboune’s election as president pean Union itself. At the same time, presidential election since the re- is unlikely to quickly end the politi- Ankara warned that the United States moval of long-time ruler Abdelaziz cal stalemate. Protests intensified risks eviction from a key airbase in Bouteflika from power last April. the day after the vote as many Al- southern Turkey. Former Prime Minister Abdelm- gerians feared the election could be Under Erdogan, Turkey regards it- adjid Tebboune, a 74-year-old tech- a ruse to keep army-backed elites self as an independent regional power nocrat, was declared the winner of in power. that pursues interests that may not be the December 12 vote, which was Analysts cited Algerians’ high in sync with those of Europe or the marked by a mass boycott but no turnout in recent demonstrations United States. A foreign policy adviser major violence, despite protesters as an indication that Tebboune will to Erdogan said the West had to accept shutting polling stations in most of face a tough task addressing the that Turkey’s foreign policy was no the restive Kabylie region. country’s social crisis, fuelled by a longer based on traditional models. Managing to conduct the elec- dire economic situation with key “The Turkish president under- tion was, in itself, a win for the oil earnings falling and a planned stands that the traditional notion of army. There were high stakes for 9% public spending cut next year. ‘the Western alliance’ is no longer the military command to salvage “The huge number of protesters valid,” Burhanettin Duran wrote in the the elections and avoid bloodshed at the day following the vote sug- English-language Daily Sabah newspa- as a test of its authority and cred- gests that nothing was resolved per. ibility. and the stalemate remains com- “Those who criticise Erdogan’s for- The same day he was declared plete. The Hirak will continue with eign policy, citing the state of Turkey’s the election’s winner, Tebboune the same intensity,” predicted po- relations with the West, must realise expressed determination to work litical writer Makhlouf Mehenni. that the rules of the old liberal order no for compromise with protest fig- Tebboune hopes, however, to longer apply — there are new dynam- ures and opposition parties. He engage a peaceful political and eco- ics at play.” seemed interested in co-opting nomic transition. In the Eastern Mediterranean, the — not confronting — the protest “I will work with all Algerians to deal between Ankara and Tripoli movement. turn the page of the past and open carves out a slanting sea corridor of “I address directly the Hirak a new page of a new republic with maritime boundaries at the closest (protest movement), which I have a new mindset and new approach,” points between Libya and Turkey, po- repeatedly blessed and supported, he said. tentially clearing the way for oil and to extend my hand for serious dia- A “new page” of stability in Al- gas search near Greek islands. logue with them, for the sake of Al- geria would be a welcome develop- EU leaders who sided with Greece in geria and only Algeria,” he said. ment for the country’s neighbours the dispute said in a statement after a Lawyer Mustapha Bouchachi, a in the Maghreb, Sahel and the ‘New page’. Newly elected Algerian President Abdelmadjid summit December 12 that the Turkish- leading figure among the protest- Western Mediterranean. Tebboune speaks at a press conference in Algiers, December 13. (AP) Libyan agreement “infringes upon the ers, said the movement, much Algeria shares a 6,500km border sovereign rights of third states, does more than the vote, was bound to with six countries, many of them implemented by France and other engage in dialogue with protest- not comply with the Law of the Sea be a determining factor that “will weakened by the fallout of the Western powers to stem jihadism ers. “He can sell what he wants at and cannot produce any legal conse- usher in a future for Algeria.” “Arab spring” uprisings, jihadist in the Sahel. home. I am only accountable to Al- quences for third states.” Tebboune’s offer of direct dia- threats and by foreign interven- France’s complex relations with gerians,” Tebboune said. Tensions between Turkey and the logue with protesters and his tions in Mali, Niger and Libya. Algeria were illustrated by Teb- West were further fuelled when the US pledges to free unfairly tried de- The bloody assault by jihadists boune’s response to French Presi- Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly Senate followed the US House of Rep- tainees and introduce constitution- of a Niger army base December 10 dent Emmanuel Macron, who had correspondent in Tunis. resentatives and passed a resolution al and electoral reforms, setting up displayed the limits of strategies advised Algeria’s new president to P8 that recognises as genocide the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire a century ago, a historic move that infuriated Turkey. Christmas markets finding fertile ground in Morocco Congress also reached agreement on a $738 billion defence bill that calls Saad Guerraoui shops suitable for all levels plus san gifts to pastry in wooden huts. Christmas trees stand tall in lo- for sanctions against Turkey over its tastings in a festive atmosphere ani- The catering area was the most cal markets and flower shops while purchase of the Russian S-400 missile mated by live music every night. animated section with culinary spe- chic pastry shops offer the mouth- defence system. Casablanca The Village of the Elves featured cialties, entertainment for children watering Buche de Noel cake, a pas- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut many fun and educational games and Christmas music in partnership try from a French Christmas tradi- Cavusoglu said Ankara could ask the hristmas markets in Mo- and workshops, aimed at promoting with Hit Radio. tion that dates to the 19th century. United States to withdraw from the rocco have been burgeoning children’s personal development. In Marrakech, the luxurious Many Moroccans, however, la- Incirlik Airbase if Washington imposes the past few years amid a The Gourmet Village was the busi- Royal Mansour hotel presented its ment the dwindling festive Christ- sanctions. C rise in demand and expatri- est space, featuring specialties from traditional Christmas market for mas mood in Casablanca. Howard Eissenstat, a Turkey expert ates in the country. around the world and a rich variety the second year. The hotel’s event “I remember very well in the at Saint Lawrence University in New The Royal Golf of Anfa hotel host- of festive dishes, such as oysters, benefited three associations it spon- 1980s and ’90s when children were York, said Ankara’s “aggressive foreign ed the Casablanca Christmas Market fondue and succulent paella. sors to support children with spe- taking pictures with Father Christ- policy stance” is an attempt to adapt to with an array of activities dedicated “The ambience here is marvel- cial needs and from disadvantaged mas. It’s not the case now,” said new geopolitical realities. to children besides several theme lous,” said Marceau, a French expa- backgrounds. Najib Khalil, 48. “Whether its policies are wise or areas, such as gifts and pastry. More triate living in Morocco. Local products and crafts made “Is it because we have become not, whether they [are] destructive than 100 exhibitors took part. The French-run Cercle Amical by children were on sale to encour- a more religious country and the or not, is a question for Ankara. For Prestigious brands such as the Francais de Casablanca (CAFC) club age their creativity in a warm and rhetoric of preachers who declare Washington — and for the EU — this is Four Seasons offered fine pastry expanded its popular Christmas festive atmosphere. Christmas celebrations un-Islam- simply a reality and one that needs to under the assistance of chef Brian market to nine days following high Far from Christmas markets, ic?” asked Khalil. be addressed.” Garner. demand last year. businesses in Casablanca adorned Visitors had the opportunity to go Dozens of exhibitors took part in their shop windows with Christmas Saad Guerraoui is a contributor Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly behind the stove to prepare Christ- the Christmas market, showcasing decorations to herald the festive to The Arab Weekly on Maghreb correspondent.