King Mohammed pays official visit to Libya

Morocco's King Mohammed VI pays as of this Monday an official visit to Libya at the invitation of Libyan Leader Mouammar khaddafi, a statement by the ministry of the royal household, protocol and chancellery announced.

The king's visit to Tripoli, the first since he came to power in July 1999, will be marked by political talks with khaddafi and is expected to open new prospects to bilateral relations, especially in economic realms.

Actually, the rather low volume of trade exchanges and investments does not reflect the excellent political relations and existing opportunities. According to latest available figures, trade deals amount to $ 400 million and there were only few joint investments in the private and public sectors. Cultural cooperation is also short of the two people's aspirations.

Nearly 100,000 Moroccan expatriates are settled in Libya and work in tourism, trade, construction and liberal professions.

The two countries are bound by several cooperation agreements, the latest on the protection and encouragement of investments was signed last November. A high joint commission meets every year under the co-chairmanship of the two countries' Prime Ministers to follow up bilateral cooperation.

Despite some summer clouds, relations between Morocco and Libya are marked by mutual respect, Moroccan diplomatic sources said, recalling that Morocco took positives initiatives to back Libya within international and regional forums, mainly regarding the Lockerbie issue.

Moroccans and Libyans are expecting talks between the two countries-- which are member of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) together with Algeria, Mauritania and Tunisia-- to consolidate consultation and coordination at the bilateral level as well as at the Maghreban, Arab, African and Mediterranean levels.