Morocco is a major partner and ally of the US and a stable country in a continent and region in search of stability, said Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Mark Milley during a visit to Rabat on Sunday. The US views Morocco as a partner and great ally, not only in the region, but also in the entire African continent, he told the press. He highlighted the depth of relations between the two countries for over two centuries, expressing his Washington’s willingness to consolidate and expand these relations with Morocco, which was the first country to recognize the independence of the US. Milley also commended the strong, concrete, and excellent military relations between the US and Morocco, citing the "African Lion" exercises that have been taking place for nearly 20 years, as well as many other issues related to regional security. Milley, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom, met Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defense Administration Abdeltif Loudyi. They discussed bilateral relations between the US and Morocco and their strategic military partnership. Loudyi highlighted to the tripartite declaration signed between Morocco, the US, and Israel in December 2020 that will strengthen peace and stability in North Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, he praised Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s full sovereignty over the Sahara. Milley later met with Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) and Commander of the Southern Zone. The officials expressed their satisfaction with the positive results of the Defense Advisory Committee. They reiterated their willingness to further strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership between their militaries. The meeting was attended by the Chiefs of the General Staff of the FAR, senior US military officials, and the Ambassador of the US accredited to Rabat. This being his first visit to the African continent as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Milley took this opportunity to highlight the important role played by Morocco under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, as an actor of stability and peace in Africa and the Middle East. At the end of this meeting, Milley and Loudyi reiterated their determination to consolidate the historic and exemplary partnership between their countries.