Trump announced in early December that he had brokered a peace deal between Israel and Morocco, which entails the establishment of full diplomatic relations and air travel between the two nations, as well as the United States’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Pleased to announce the beginning of the process to establish a U.S. consulate in Western Sahara, and the inauguration of a virtual presence post effective immediately! We look forward to promoting economic and social development, and to engage the people of this region.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 24, 2020
The virtual post will be managed by the US Embassy in Morocco, he added. The US will continue to support political negotiations in the region, Pompeo said.
On Tuesday, Moroccan King Mohammed VI received an official US-Israeli delegation headed by Trump's senior adviser Jared Kushner. The visit resulted in the establishment of full-scale diplomatic relations and direct flights between the countries.
Morocco became the fourth Arab state to normalize ties with Israel this year after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. According to Trump, a number of other Arab countries are also ready to normalize relations with Israel.
