Algerian interior minister receives message from Moroccan peer

Algerian Interior and Local Councils Minister Yazid Zerhouni received a message from his Moroccan peer, Ahmed Midaoui.

The Moroccan minister voiced his belief that Zerhouni will spare no effort for the development of cooperation ties between Morocco and Algeria, especially between their two departments.

Midaoui, whose message was handed to Zerhouni by the Moroccan ambassador to Algeria, Abderrazak Doghmi, expressed will to spare no effort for the promotion of bilateral ties.

Algerian news agency APS reported that Midaoui's upcoming visit to Algeria will be an opportunity to resume serene and pragmatic dialogue to boost the Moroccan-Algerian relations.

Relations between Morocco and Algeria soured over the past years in view of Algiers' direct involvement in the Sahara issue and borders between Morocco and Algeria have been closed since 1994 when evidence showed the involvement of Algerian-born French nationals in a terrorist attack against a luxury hotel in Marrakesh (southern Morocco), killing two Spanish tourists.

Winds of reconciliation between the two Maghreban nations started to blow after the election last April of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who multiplied good will statements towards Morocco. On the morrow of his election last year, Bouteflika actually sent Morocco warm messages, vowing to improve neighborliness ties with the kingdom and to upgrade cooperation between the two countries.

However, relations soured again following anti-Moroccan statements made by Bouteflika and charging Morocco of sheltering camps of Islamist extremist groups.

Morocco termed the accusations and baseless and stressed will to live in peace with Algeria.