Morocco lauds U.S. announcement of international conference on mideast peace

Morocco on Saturday said it welcomes with satisfaction the announcement made Thursday by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell of an international conference on peace in the Middle East.

Powell made the announcement after a meeting in Washington of the U.S.A, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations on the situation in the Middle East.

The Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation department said in a release that Morocco notes with interest the commitment made by the U.S.A, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations "to promoting accelerated and earnest negotiations with a view to reaching a settlement" to the Middle East conflict.

The projected conference is due in the beginning of next summer.

The department recalled the various calls made King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, for an immediate and unconditional return to the negotiations table.

The ministry added that Morocco lauds the prospects opened by Powell's statements and wishes that the ongoing efforts will be crowned with success to achieve a rapid and final settlement to the conflict through the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian state and the guarantee of peace and security for the countries of the region, including Israel.