The 4th ministerial meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People group opens tomorrow in Marrakech. More than a hundred delegations and members of the new Syrian opposition Coalition, as well as representatives of international organisations and civil society, will take part in the proceedings of this meeting, which follows those held in Tunis, Istanbul, and Paris respectively.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad Eddine El Otmani, this meeting constitutes a crucial step in international efforts aimed at finding a solution to the Syrian crisis. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the political vision of the new Syrian Coalition and its programme for building the Syria of tomorrow—a stable, united, and democratic Syria, he indicated.

For his part, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Youssef Amrani, affirmed on Sunday in Doha that the Friends of the Syrian People Conference aims to broaden the circle of support for the Syrian people in their ordeal. Amrani reiterated the Kingdom's determination, as it currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council, to adhere to this process to put an end to the bloodshed in Syria and facilitate a democratic transition, especially since "the current situation has become totally unacceptable".

Regarding the humanitarian aspect, the Minister affirmed that Morocco has committed to this area through the deployment of a field hospital at the Zaatari camp in Jordan for Syrian refugees, under the High Instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, highlighting that the humanitarian dimension has always been the main reason for Moroccan diplomatic action in conflict zones around the world.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on an official visit to the Kingdom starting tomorrow, will also take part in this meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People. She also expressed the "great appreciation" of the United States for the "constructive role played by Morocco within the UN Security Council, particularly the Kingdom's support for efforts aimed at ending violence and bloodshed in Syria and helping to put this country on the path to a democratic future". For his part, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who will make a two-day official visit to Morocco starting tomorrow to co-chair the 11th High-Level Meeting with his counterpart, Abdelilah Benkirane, will represent his country at this ministerial meeting.