Morocco's premier calls Algeria to respect Moroccan territorial integrity

Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, has called on Algeria to respect Morocco's territorial integrity.

"It is natural that Algeria respects our territorial integrity as we did when this brotherly country was under French occupation," Youssoufi told Tunisian papers.

Algeria backs the Polisario separatists.

"We deemed that it would be wise to consolidate Algeria's territorial integrity," recalled Youssoufi, before underlining that Morocco recovered its southern provinces in accordance with international legality.

Asked on the possible non participation of King Mohammed VI in the Maghreb submit due shortly in Algiers, Youssoufi imputed this to the "surprising attitude of our (Algerian) neighbours." "The Moroccan public opinion is surprised and does not understand the reasons for these perturbations that occurred while the Maghreban summit is very close," he said, adding "I would like to express my regrets and those of the Moroccan government."

The Arab Maghreb Union countries', namely Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania, will hold their summit June 21-22 in Algiers.

Experts of the five countries started this Saturday in Algiers preparations for the summit, the first since 1994.