MARRAKECH, Morroco—Disappointed by the Obama administration that promised warmer relations with the Arab world, Mideast diplomats say they are looking forward to dealing with a more pragmatic—and direct—President Donald Trump, no matter what he might have said about Muslims to get elected.
“No, no, it doesn’t bother me,” said Youssef Amrani, adviser to Moroccan King Mohammed VI, when asked about Trump’s call for a Muslim ban and National Security Advisor nominee Mike Flynn’s tweet saying fear of Muslims is rational.
“The strategic dialogue is between two governments and it will continue,” he said, side-stepping any direct comment on Trump’s campaign rhetoric.
“They prefer someone who hates Islam to an administration that loves Iran,” said one high ranking Mideast diplomat, in a less-diplomatic comment that was echoed by many at the Atlantic Dialogues (AtlanticDialogues.org) in Marrakech, here to debate the security of African, Mideast and European nations and their ties to the U.S.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/12/17/mideast-diplomats-trump-is-better-than-obama.html