Moroccan minister back from Algeria's Sahel and Sahara observatory meeting

Moroccan minister of agriculture, rural development, water and forests, Ismail Alaoui, ended on Monday a visit to Algeria where he chaired the two-day meeting of the Sahel and Sahara Observatory's governing board.

The session adopted the budget and activity plan of the organization's scientific and technical council, the mandate of its members and the 2001 work plan.

The observatory operational budget is set at 3.6 million FF while the equipment budget stands at 10 million FF.

The observatory which was transferred from Paris to Tunis is financed by contributions of African and European states and is supported by regional and international organizations.