Morocco's capital city readies to be Arab culture capital

The Moroccan capital city of Rabat readies to play its role as capital of Arab Culture for 2003. The program decided to mark the event will be different from those adopted by other Arab cities which were made capitals of Arab culture in the past, such as Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Cairo (Egypt) and Beirut (Lebanon), Moroccan Culture Minister, Mohamed Achaari, said on Friday.

The official stressed the need to highlight Morocco's peculiarities, enjoying a strategic geographical location and striving for rapprochement between Arab and European thinkers and intellectuals.

"Given its African roots, Morocco can also contribute to promoting Arab-African dialogue through hosting several cultural and artistic activities," he said.

The program related to the proclamation of Rabat as capital of Arab culture, features several events, including the Rabat Festival and other festivals of poetry and music.

Rabat was proclaimed capital of Arab culture for 2003 by the Council of Arab culture ministers, at a meeting held last October in Amman, Jordan.