Algeria hints at a solution to better relations with Morocco

Algeria on Monday voiced attachment to a "global approach" aimed at promoting relations between Morocco and Algeria.

Spokesman for the Algerian Foreign Affairs department, Abdelaziz Sebaa, told reporters that his country has not yet been officially informed about Morocco's recent proposals to suppress visa requirements and open borders between the two Maghreban countries.

Borders between Morocco and Algeria were closed down by Algeria in 1994 in retaliation to a Moroccan move to require entry visas for Algerians wishing to visit Morocco, following a terrorist attack perpetrated in August 1994 against the luxurious "Atlas Asni" hotel in Marrakesh, by two Algerian-born French terrorists. The attack claimed the lives of two Spanish tourists.Algeria got informed about Rabat's wish to suppress visas and open borders between the two brotherly countries through the press, the Spokesman said.

Sebaa recalled that Algerian President Liamine Zeroual entrusted in 1994 the Algerian Prime Minister of "proposing to his Majesty King Hassan II a more global approach to relations between the two countries".

"This (global) approach was welcomed by Morocco", the spokesman said, adding that the Algerian government "is attached to improving relations between the two brotherly and neighbor countries".

Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi voiced recently readiness to meet his Algerian peer to try to clear out bilateral relations.

"I have already made moves in favor of dialogue with Algeria after I was appointed Prime Minister...I cannot imagine winding up my term without doing anything for the maghreb," Youssoufi told French wide-circulation daily "Le Monde".