King Mohammed receives Levy
Morocco-Israel, Politics, 1/13/2000

King Mohammed VI received in Rabat on Wednesday Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy, who arrived the same day on a three-day visit to brief the king on latest developments in the Middle East peace process, mainly results of the recent Israeli-Syrian talks in the USA.

Levy said following the two-hour meeting that the Moroccan king is a peace-loving man willing to carry on the action of his late father, King Hassan II, and ready to play a broker role in the Middle East peace process, in view of the trust he enjoys.

After he stressed that the king has a very good knowledge of the peace process problems, Levy, a Moroccan-born Jew, paid tribute to the late King Hassan II's bravery and wisdom that remains "engraved in (our) memory and heart."

He also voiced satisfaction at his talks with King Mohammed VI, "a young king that (we) respect and encourage in his efforts" for the development of his country.

The Israeli foreign minister also met Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who expressed "optimism for the future despite the existing difficulties." The head of the government said he expressed to Levy Morocco's will to see the peace process move forward, mainly with the implementation of the Oslo agreements and the activation of the Syrian track.

The Israeli foreign minister is scheduled to meet this Thursday with Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa and the king's advisor, Andre Azoulay.

Levy will then undertake a two-day private visit to Morocco. Born in Morocco in 1937, Levy left the kingdom for Israel in 1957. He attended in Rabat last July the funeral of the late King Hassan II.

Following the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian peace accords in Washington in 1993, the then Israeli prime minister and foreign minister, the late Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, had stopped over in Morocco to brief the late King Hassan II on the agreement.

Morocco and Israel, which do not have full diplomatic relations, exchanged in 1994 liaison offices.

Previous Stories:
  Israeli foreign minister expected this afternoon in Morocco   (1/12/2000)
  Israeli foreign minister in Morocco   (1/11/2000)
  Palestinians accuse settlers of shooting Moroccan official in Hebron   (11/13/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search