Mauritanian president receives verbal message from king Mohammed

President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya received on Monday a verbal message from King Mohammed VI. The message was conveyed to the Mauritanian President by Morocco's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Delegate Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri.

In a statement to the press, following his meting with President Ould Taya, Fassi Fihri said the message "is part of continuous and constructive consultations between the two heads of State and reflects their firm commitment to enhancing bilateral relations in all realms."

The Moroccan official also conveyed to President Ould Taya on behalf "Morocco's people, government and King, feelings of solidarity and sympathy in the face of the difficulties endured by Mauritania as a consequence of rain shortage and drought that hit some of its regions."

In response to a call for international assistance, made last September by the Mauritanian authorities, Morocco sent on Monday a food aid, as a Royal donation to the drought-stricken populations.

Fassi Fihri stressed that the royal decision to extend a symbolic assistance to Mauritania bears witness to Morocco's will to further strengthen "solidarity with a neighbour country."