France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu disembarks from his plane upon his arrival at Rabat-Salé Airport in Rabat on July 15, 2026. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
French Prime Minister’s Rabat visit to strengthen Morocco ties
The Moroccan capital has become a key diplomatic destination as France deepens its partnership with Rabat, potentially paving the way for King Mohammed VI’s state visit to Paris.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu landed in Rabat Wednesday evening, greeted by his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch for a visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties ahead of a potential visit by King Mohammed VI to Paris.
Accompanied by twelve ministers—including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez—Lecornu received a military welcome at the airport around 10 p.m. by the Moroccan Prime Minister and several government officials.
The French head of government arrived from Qatar, where he conveyed France’s condolences following the passing of the former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch also traveled to Doha to offer the kingdom’s condolences.
Franco-Moroccan relations have significantly improved since Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory in the summer of 2024—a move that drew sharp criticism from Algiers.
The French president was subsequently given a grand reception in Rabat in October of that year, marking an end to three years of strained relations. The visit concluded with the signing of numerous contracts and a strengthened
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