Morocco recalls ambassador to France amid simmering tensions

RABAT, Morocco (AA) - Morocco on Friday called back its ambassador to France, the North African kingdom's Foreign Ministry announced.

The termination of Mohamed Benchaaboun's duties in Paris came in accordance with royal instructions, the ministry said in a statement without providing further details.

This move coincided with a crisis between Rabat and the EU and cooling relations with Paris.

Last January, the EU adopted a resolution criticizing the conditions of freedom of the press and expression in Morocco.

On Wednesday, the Moroccan parliament announced the formation of a parliamentary committee to reassess relations with the European Parliament.

The tensions between Rabat and Paris, meanwhile, is fueled by tightening visa restrictions against Moroccans, and talk of French companies' withdrawal from the North African country.

While Rabat decried the French visa restrictions as "unjustified," Paris said it would sharply cut the number of visas to visitors from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, claiming that the three countries — former French colonies — were not doing enough to allow illegal immigrants to return.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report.