By Reuters Staff

       1 Min Read

       FILE PHOTO: Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz walks past the media during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, August 1, 2021. Abir Sultan/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

       JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Morocco and Israel signed a defence memorandum in Rabat on Wednesday, an Israeli defence spokesperson said, opening the way for possible military sales and cooperation after the countries upgraded diplomatic ties last year.

       The document was signed during a visit by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, who was scheduled to hold talks with Abdellatif Loudiyi, Morocco’s defence administration minister, and other officials.

       Departing for Rabat on Tuesday, Gantz told reporters he was embarking on “the first formal visit” by an Israeli defence minister to Morocco - implicit acknowledgement of discreet relations dating back decades.

       A source briefed on Wednesday’s classified MOU said it does not stipulate specific defence deals, but rather provides a legal and regulatory framework for such deals in the future.

       Reporting by Dan Williams; Editing by Jeffrey Heller

       Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.