Page "History of Morocco" Paragraph 64

Despite serious domestic turmoil, the patriotism engendered by Morocco ’ s participation in the Middle East conflict and by the events in Western Sahara contributed to Hassan ’ s popularity and strengthened his hand politically.

The king had dispatched Moroccan troops to the Sinai front after the outbreak of Arab-Israeli War in October 1973.

Although they arrived too late to engage in hostilities, the action won Morocco goodwill among other Arab states.

Shortly thereafter, the attention of the government turned to the acquisition of Western Sahara from Spain, an issue on which all major domestic parties agreed.