Algerian ambassador hopes obstacles hindering UMA will be lowered

Outgoing Algeria's ambassador in Morocco, Mihoub Mihoubi, hoped in an interview with a Moroccan daily that all obstacles hindering the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) will be lowered.

The diplomat told "Bayane Al Yaoum" if the union is to become a strategic entity with a say in the future of peoples, all member states should join efforts and show dedication, patience and make general interests prevail over personal ones.

He added that Algeria, which is currently holding the UMA rotating chairmanship, has called for re-activating the Union various structures, a call which had positive responses in all member countries.

The UMA was set up in Marrakesh in 1989 by Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. Its mechanisms have been however paralyzed for years due to strained relations between member countries, and especially between Morocco and Algeria over Algiers' direct involvement in the Sahara issue.