Arab economists decry Spanish occupation of two Moroccan cities and effects of sanctions

Arab economists, who held their 13th conference in Al-Jadida (200 km south of Rabat), decried Wednesday the Spanish occupation of Sebta and Mellilia, two Moroccan northern cities.

The economists said at the end of their conference that they back the struggle of the Moroccan people to recover the two cities.

They also denounced the US-British air strikes against Iraq. Such strikes, they said, are destined to prevent Iraq's ongoing reconstruction.

The economists, who decried Washington's interference in Iraq's internal affairs, called for lifting the "unfair" embargo imposed on the Iraqi people by the USA and Britain, and urged Arab states to endeavor for lifting the sanctions.

Participants also called on the Arab world to back Libya against the "imperial pressures" and called for lifting the embargo imposed on Sudan, which struggles for its territorial integrity.

They decried the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon and called for the implementation of the United Nations resolutions, calling for an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon.

The economists also stood against the Israeli occupation of the Syria Golan Heights.

The conference was attended by 150 economists from various Arab states. It debated issues related to Arab economic complementarity and the Arab joint action to face the challenges of the 21st century.