Syria rejects any position hostile to Morocco's territorial integrity

Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, said Monday Syria "will not tolerate any position hostile to Morocco's territorial integrity."

Khaddam made the statement as he was receiving a delegation from Moroccan leftist party "Socialist Union of Popular Forces" lead by the USFP assistant first secretary, Mohamed El Yazghi.

The same position was expressed by assistant secretary general of the ruling Baath party, Abdullah al-Ahmar, which invited the USFP delegation to Syria.

"The Sahara conflict is a legacy of colonialism, meant to divide Morocco. Such schemes are contradictory to the unification concept advocated by the Syrian leadership and people, and to the unity of the Arab nation, which is not in need of the burden of another entity, in a time countries of the world are merging into groups."

El Yazghi briefed the Syrian officials on the latest developments of the Moroccan Sahara issue, Morocco's attachment to its southern provinces, and its firm rejection of the partition proposal. He also told them how the Moroccan people, king and government are supporting the Palestinian cause, citing the great support demonstration held last March in Rabat.

The Moroccan minister underscored the importance of the International Socialist's World Council, to be held in Casablanca shortly, adding that Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat, encouraged the USFP to hold the council in Morocco, where an important Palestinian delegation will take part, in case he does not attend himself.