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World

Morocco blocks opening of first Ikea store amid reported diplomatic rift

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Moroccan workers walk past the construction site of the country's first Ikea store outside Casablanca, Morocco, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Morocco’s government has suspended the opening of the country’s first Ikea store, in a last-minute decision reportedly linked to Sweden’s diplomatic position on Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) (The Associated Press)

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    Outside view of the construction site of the country's first Ikea store outside Casablanca, Morocco, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Morocco’s government has suspended the opening of the country’s first Ikea store, in a last-minute decision reportedly linked to Sweden’s diplomatic position on Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 3 of 3

    Outside view of the construction site of the country's first Ikea store outside Casablanca, Morocco, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Morocco’s government has suspended the opening of the country’s first Ikea store, in a last-minute decision reportedly linked to Sweden’s diplomatic position on Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar) (The Associated Press)

RABAT, Morocco – Morocco's government has suspended the opening of the country's first Ikea store, in a last-minute decision reportedly linked to diplomatic tensions around the Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara.

The company spent months building the sprawling store next to Casablanca and it was slated to open Tuesday. But the Interior Ministry issued a statement Tuesday morning saying the store lacks the necessary "certificate of conformity."

A website known for close ties to the Moroccan royal palace, Le 360, reported that the decision was linked to Swedish support for the Western Saharan independence movement. The report said the government held an "emergency meeting" Monday about Ikea's status in Morocco.

Ikea, founded in Sweden but now Dutch-based, would not immediately comment on the suspended opening.