Tony Blair gets message from King Mohammed
Morocco-UK, Politics, 3/13/2002

British Premier Tony Blair on Tuesday got a message from King Mohammed VI dealing with the latest developments in North Africa and the evolution of the Moroccan-Algerian conflict on the Moroccan Sahara issue.

The message that was conveyed by minister of foreign affairs and cooperation Mohamed Benaissa at a meeting at the British Premier's residence here also deals with the sovereign's unconditional backing to the outstanding initiative brokered by the Heir Apparent of Saudi Arabia Prince Abdallah Ibn Abdelaziz to settle the Middle East conflict.

The meeting also dealt with the efforts made by King Mohammed VI to settle differences between the members of the Mano River Union, namely Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The sovereign had convened last February 27 a tripartite summit to seek means of establishing a lasting peace in the Mano river region and defusing tension between the three countries. The reconciliation summit actually adopted a set of measures concerning security along the common borders, repatriation of refugees and assistance to displaced persons, and reactivation of the Mano River Union.

The Blair-Benaissa talks equally covered the coming Arab summit scheduled for the end of March in Beirut and a set of other issues of mutual concern.

Benaissa voiced satisfaction over his talks with British officials and said "they showed understanding regarding the Moroccan-Algerian conflict over the Sahara."

Benaissa had earlier held at Westminster Parliament a work session with labor MP and chairman of the foreign affairs committee at the House of Commons, Donald Anderson, as well as with spokesman for the conservative party for foreign affairs, Michael Ancram, and spokesman for the liberal-democrat party for foreign affairs, Denzil Campbell.

The Moroccan foreign minister renewed to his interlocutors the sovereign's commitment to work for peace, security and stability in Africa and in the Middle East.

Benaissa who is scheduled to confer this Wednesday with British secretary of state at the foreign office in charge of North Africa and the Middle East, Ben Bradshaw, equally met representatives of the Arab, international and British media.

Before coming to London Monday, Benaissa was in Paris where he handed French President Jacques Chirac a message from King Mohammed VI.

Previous Stories:
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