Gulf states unanimously back Morocco's World Cup bid, minister

Moroccan Youth and Sports Minister Ahmed Moussaoui said Wednesday that Gulf nations, that he has just toured, unanimously back Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals.

The visit was an opportunity to back these countries for their support to the Moroccan candidature.

Morocco is competing with South Africa, Brazil, England and Germany to host the World Cup. FIFA will choose next July the host country.

The minister toured Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, where he handed messages from King Mohammed VI to the rulers of these nations.