Rally in Rabat calls Arab-Islamic countries to adopt firm stand on Iraq issue

A rally, held in Rabat Sunday by the Moroccan committee of support to the Iraqi people, called Arab and Islamic countries to be firm in the face of the war threats laid against Iraq by the USA and its ally, Great Britain.

A communique published at the end of the rally held under the slogan "no to war against Iraq" called for the implementation of the Beirut Arab summit decisions and for the enforcement of the common defense agreement in case Iraq is attacked.

The rally is part of a series of events projected by the Moroccan National Committee for Support to the Iraqi People and mobilize the public opinion against "war threats on Iraq" and the embargo imposed on the Iraqi people. The committee is planning to hold similar rallies in Fez, Tangiers and Marrakesh, a colloquium and a "national march."

The committee that musters several Moroccan political parties says war against Iraq is not motivated by the country's disarmament but by "political, economic and strategic stakes associated to Iraq and to its wealth."

An appeal was launched to the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to shoulder its responsibility in keeping peace, security and stability in the Gulf region and use their prerogatives to address the Iraqi issue. Islamic countries were urged to use all political, diplomatic and military means to avert war and interfere to impose the respect of international law rules and principles.

The committee also called the American and British people to adhere firmly and efficiently to the anti-war protest movements so that the "cursed war option be relinquished in order to preserve and consolidate friendship and solidarity among peoples."

Artistic performances were featured in the rally that was attended by several government members, political and trade unions leaders and representatives of international, professional associations and non-governmental organizations.

The Moroccan National Committee for Support to the Iraqi People was created in 1991, in the morrow of the second Gulf War, at the initiative of political parties and unions in view of "supporting Iraq in its confrontation with aggression."