Rabat, Algiers work for reinforcing mutual trust, Algerian FM

Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, who took part Thursday in the meeting of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)'s foreign ministers, stated that Morocco and Algeria are working for the reinforcement of mutual trust.

In a statement Friday to the Moroccan national radio, Belkhadem said there is a common will to consolidate entente between the two countries. Relations between the two neighbours have been strained because of Algiers' financial and military support to the Polisario front that is claiming the separation of Morocco's southern provinces, known as the Sahara. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords.

The Algerian foreign minister hoped the road will be paved to bring back relations to normal.

He noted that King Mohammed's participation in the Arab summit, to be held next March (22-23) in Algiers, "is a good start to multiply meetings between the King and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika."

The Moroccan monarch's participation in the summit was announced Tuesday after he received an invitation from the Algerian president that was delivered to him by Speaker of the Nation's Assembly, Abdelkader Bensaleh.