Moroccan-US exhibition opens in Casablanca

Rabat, Nov 9 (IANS/MAP) An exhibition commemorating the 75th anniversary of the American landing in Morocco opened in Casablanca under the theme "Operation Torch: A Shared Story".

Organised by the Directorate of Military History, the exhibition kicked off on Wednesday and was marked by the presence of several Moroccan and US military and civil figures.

The exhibition, which displays historical documents, pictures and uniforms, will run through December 7. It highlights Morocco's support to the Allies in the Second World War.

Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier General Abdennasser Sinnate, head of the Military History Directorate, said the exhibition is an opportunity to highlight 240 years of relations between Morocco and the US whose origins go back to the time of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah and the first US President George Washington at the end of the 18th century.

He also underlined the important role played by the city of Casablanca in building bridges between occupied Europe and the US.

For his part, US General Dar Craig said that relations between the two countries were and will remain "exceptional", noting that military cooperation between them continues to develop over the years.

He also recalled that "Operation Torch" was the code name given to the Allied landings on November 8, 1942 in Morocco, noting that the landing was the first major strategic setback for Nazi Germany.

--IANS/MAP

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