Although the tension between Morocco and Algeria has increased since the replacement of the Algerian president, it is unlikely that this will lead to a disruption of equilibrium that has existed in the Maghreb for decades

Morocco is positioning itself as a reliable mediator in the Libya conflict to bolster its international image as a regional stability provider, to check rival Algeria’s aspiration to become a regional hegemon and to improve its bilateral relations with Libya

Morocco's diversified alliance base and its role as a key regional security player make it less likely to accept EU criticism of its domestic policies – although it will likely continue to heed recommendations on its economy for so long as it receives EU funding