King Mohammed VI of Morocco

London, Oct. 29, 2017 (AltAfrika)– Morocco opposes the independence of Catalonia in Spain and will not recognise it as an independent state, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.

“Morocco, which has been facing a separatist threat for several years, does not and will not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence of Catalonia,” the ministry said in a statement.

Morocco has renewed its full support to Spain’s national unity and sovereignty, the statement added, noting that the North African kingdom “understands the reaction of the Spanish authorities.”

The statement stressed that “Morocco fully supports the Spanish government, with a view to ensuring respect for the constitution and preserving the national unity and sovereignty of the country.”

In an earlier statement on Oct. 11, the Moroccan government had described as “irresponsible” and “unsustainable” Catalonia’s unilateral secessionist move, waving its strong backing to Spain’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity.

Catalonia’s parliament had on Friday declared  independence from Spain in defiance of the central government, while the Spanish government responded by approving direct rule in the breakaway region, with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dissolving the regional parliament and calling for elections on Dec. 21