Morocco hopes UMA summit to convene soon, FM

Morocco hopes Libya will "soon" manage to convene a summit of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) in "more positive conditions," affirmed Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohamed Benaissa.

King Mohammed VI wished that the Tripoli summit would be "the starting point of Maghreban action and effective activation of UMA structures away from provocations," said Benaissa in an interview published Wednesday by the Arab daily "Asharq Al-Awsat."

The five-nation Maghreban summit, initially due on Wednesday, was postponed because of tensions between Morocco and Algeria over the Sahara issue.

"In his attempt to end the impasse, King Mohammed VI decided in his latest visit to Algeria and during his meeting with President Bouteflika to start with the normalization of relations with the Algerian brothers, and to give a new impetus to UMA action," said Benaissa.

The Moroccan Foreign Minister recalled other initiatives made by Morocco to improve relations with Algeria such as the suppression of visa for Algerians.

However, he said, Morocco was stunned soon before the Maghreban summit by the "unexpected and unacceptable escalation" orchestrated by Algeria that used an "unfriendly tone towards Morocco, undermining the sovereignty and independence of the kingdom."

Morocco, insisted the minister, is determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In another interview with "Asharq Alawsat," Algerian State Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem said his country works for the consolidation of Moroccan-Algerian relations "because what unites us is far more important than what separates us."

On the UMA summit, he said the coming-together will be held despite its postponement given the Maghreban will to activate UMA.