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Morocco's King Hassan II ratified yesterday an agreement for a free trade exchange zone between Egypt and Morocco, dictating the reduction of customs duties between the two states gradually until they reach zero over five years, the chairman of Egyptian - Morocco works council, Yamani Felfela, told ArabicNews.com today. He added that the agreement becomes normal by the ratification of the Moroccan side, and thus the customs duties will be reduced by 25% immediately on some products and goods exchanged between the two sides that have no duplicates, either in Cairo or Rabat. Go

The UN Committee against Torture will consider reports and hear presentations from Egypt and Morocco among ten countries on their implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment during the committee's three-week meetings which started yesterday. Go

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa confirmed that there is a permanent coordination between Egyptian and French diplomacy on high levels and among experts, stating that Egyptian - French strategic talks that have taken place over several days in Paris have tackled different matters concerned with bilateral relations and the role of the two countries toward different issues on regional and international levels, at the top of which are the peace process in the Middle East and cooperation among the Mediterranean states. Go

Pope Shenuda III of Alexandria (Egypt) said Arnoun will remain Lebanese, because legitimacy is stronger than power in spite of Israel re-occupying it. Pope Shenuda arrived at the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Sunday evening to participate in the meetings of Middle East churches. Go

A British national was arrested lately by Moroccan customs agents with nearly four tons of cannabis concealed in his Lorry. The drug was embedded among garments destined for a British company. Go

The Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco will hold next May 6-8 a session on the dissuasive role of nuclear weapons. The session, to be attended by academicians and worldwide experts, will hear presentations on the evolution of nuclear weapons, the nuclear arms race in the world as well as on the role and stakes of nuclear weapons in the establishment of the world peace and stability. Go

The next Moroccan Golf Open and Sahara cup will be held in Agadir (Southern Morocco) next June 17-20. A hundred of best pro and amateur golfers from Europe, USA, Asia and Africa will take part in Morocco's prestigious golf event. Go

The Moroccan-Yemeni ministerial commission is to hold a two day meeting in Rabat as of Wednesday. The Yemeni delegation will be led by minister of planning and development, Ahmed Soufane. Go

Morocco's month in Ecuador, held by the Moroccan embassy in three major cities, was a total success and was highly appreciated by the public who attended the various scheduled events, said the Moroccan embassy. Go

The third forum of Arab business people will meet next May 20-21 in Marrakesh to discuss "globalization and effects of the Euro on Arab economies." Go

Conoco, Inc. said on Friday that it intends to apply for a permit to open an office in Saudi Arabia, which would be opened, if approved, by the middle of this year. "We believe it is time to establish an office in Saudi Arabia that can best support our pursuit of new business opportunities," a Conoco press release quoted Philip L. Frederickson, Conoco vice president of business development, as saying. Go

Syrian Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Salim Yassin on Monday in Damascus received the chairman of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Michael Frank, and members of the accompanying delegation. Talks dealt with ways of boosting and developing economic relations between the two countries. Go

Syrian President al-Assad on Monday at Damascus al-Shaab presidential palace received the president and executive director of Conoco Petroleum Gas, Archie Dunham. Talks dealt with Syria's course of building up, construction and development. Go

The UN representative in Asmara, Martin Nefuguwena, has announced that the UN special envoy to Africa Mohamed Sahnoun met on Monday morning with the Eritrean Foreign Minister Haile Weldensae. In a telephone call with the AFP Nefuguwena said Sahnoun also met with other Eritrean governmental officials later in the day. Go

Israel Radio on Monday quoted the chairman of the Israeli Center Party, Yitzhak Mordechai, as saying that King Abdullah of Jordan expressed during their meeting on Sunday in Amman his support for the idea proposed to him by Mordechai of convening a peace conference on the Middle East in Amman following the end of the Israeli elections. Go

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and members of his accompanying delegation arrived in Libya on Monday for a visit to Libya which will last several days. In an arrival statement, the Ethiopian foreign minister explained that he will discuss with the secretary of the Libyan foreign committee (foreign minister), Omar al-Muntasir, bilateral relations between the two countries and means of developing and fostering them. Go