Algeria's Bouteflika was the first head of state informed about king's demise, Basri
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 7/29/1999

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was the first head of state informed about the demise of the late King Hassan II, and it was the Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed himself who told him the news over the phone, said Moroccan Minister of the Interior Driss Basri.

Basri, who made the statement in an exclusive interview to Radio France Internationale (RFI) and RMC MO, also commented on the emotion shown by the Algerian people following the death of the late sovereign and the presence of President Bouteflika at the funeral ceremony.

He said that Algerian-Moroccan relations can only improve to reach total improvement and that the Sahara issue which has poisoned for a long time these relations is no longer an Algerian-Moroccan problem but a United Nations issue that will inevitably find a solution through U.N. mechanisms.

Basri stated further that the succession and the funeral ceremonies unfold in a climate of total serenity, a fact that evidences the perenniality and solidity of the institutions set up by the late sovereign and reflects the maturity of the Moroccan people.

The interior minister added that, "H.M. King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan will carry on the work of his late father and will see to the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in Morocco."

Previous Stories:
  Bouteflika sees future of Moroccan-Algerian ties with optimism   (7/27/1999)
  Bouteflika: I have always believed Moroccan-Algerian ties will improve   (7/26/1999)
  Algerian president voices affliction over King Hassan II demise   (7/24/1999)

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

Search