Malian president winds up official visit to Morocco

President Alpha Omar Konare of Mali left Morocco Friday at the end of an official visit at the invitation of King Mohammed VI.

During his stay in Morocco, the Malian President held tete-a-tete talks with King Mohammed Vi. He was also guest at a dinner banquet hosted in his honor by the King.

President Konare also conferred with Moroccan officials, including Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, Speakers of the House of Representatives (lower chamber), Abdelouahed Radi, and of the Chamber of Advisors (upper house), Mohamed Jalal Essaid.

He also met with Driss Benhima, acting president of Maroc-2006 Association, which promotes Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Mali is represented in the FIFA executive committee, which will decide on July 6 which of Morocco, South Africa, Brazil, England and Germany will host the planetary competition.

The Malian President also visited the Mohammed V Mausoleum, where he read the Fatiha (opening surate of the Holy Koran) for the rest of the souls of the Late King Mohammed V and the Late King Hassan II.