Moroccan premier flies to Iran

Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, flew Tuesday morning to Tehran on an official visit to Iran at the invitation of first vice-president of the republic, Hassan Habibi.

Several accords and protocols in the sectors of economy, tourism and transport are to be signed between the two countries during the visit to last till January 21.

Youssoufi underlined in a statement to reporters at the Rabat airport the political dimension of his trip which also has, he said, a solidarity character. "we are both member of the Islamic nation and we need to consolidate Islamic solidarity to take up the challenges thrown at our nation," Youssoufi said.

He said his visit to Tehran, the first of the kind, is taking place after the developments witnessed by Moroccan-Iranian relations over the past six years and is meant to enhance trade, economic and financial relations between the two countries.

Youssoufi then voiced appreciation for Iran's stand regarding Morocco's territorial integrity and hailed its stance regarding the Palestinian cause and the liberation cause in the Arab world in general.

Youssoufi's party includes several cabinet members, economic operators and journalists.