(JNS) Morocco is elevating its Tel Aviv mission to embassy status after Jerusalem recognized the North African country’s sovereignty in Western Sahara.

A senior Moroccan government official told the Spanish EFE news agency that its capital is “in the process” of establishing an official embassy in Israel following recognition of the disputed region, i24NEWS reported.

Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in a letter to the nation’s King Mohammed VI on Monday, July 17.