Maghreb summit postponed until indefinite time
Maghreb, Politics, 12/23/2003

News reports in Algeria said that the foreign ministers of the Arab Maghreb federation decided in their meeting in Algiers to postpone the convening of the Maghreb summit until an indefinite time.

It was due that the summit to be held in Algiers next Tuesday and Wednesday. Well-informed sources attributed the postponement to the absence of the Moroccan King and the Libyan leader and the President of Mauritania from such a meeting.

The sources said that the presidency of the Arab Maghreb federation, which is held by Algeria since 1994, to be handed over to Libya.

The postponement decision was not surprising in light of the escalation of differences between Morocco and Algeria over the western Sahara. The Moroccan foreign minister attributed the reason behind the absence of King Mohammad to the need of what he described as settling differences obstructing the federation's work.

In press statements yesterday, Morocco's foreign minister indicated the need of the country's region to honor the sovereignty of other states, in a clear remark to the conflict with Algeria.

Since 1994, the Maghreb federation member states did not hold any press conference, despite making several efforts in this regard. A Maghreb federation meeting in Algiers was also postponed in June 2001, just four days of its convening.

The federation will not be active in taking decisions and drawing policies unless attended by the countries leaders instead of lower representation of countries.

Previous Stories:
  CIA disclose cooperation with UK and Libya; Libya cancels Arab Maghreb meet   (12/22/2003)
  French president: no solution to Sahara issue should be imposed by third party   (12/8/2003)
  Spain supports principle of negotiations between parties to Sahara issue   (12/8/2003)

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