Iraqi foreign minister hails Morocco's backing and solidarity with Iraq

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf hailed Morocco's backing and solidarity with the Iraqi people who are going through difficult circumstances in view of the UN embargo and US-British air strikes.

In a statement to reporters before his departure from Marrakesh (southern Morocco), the Iraqi minister, who was received Friday by King Hassan II, said, "We requested Morocco's backing for the condemnation of the no-fly zones set up in Iraq."

"We explained to King Hassan II that the decision of American and British governments of enforcing no-fly zones is illegal and illegitimate," the Iraqi minister added, noting that he informed the Moroccan sovereign about UN-Iraqi relations and Baghdad's vision regarding an objective solution for the settlement of the deadlocked situation with the UN and for the consolidation of inter-Arab solidarity.

During last weekend's visit by India's prime minister to Morocco, the Moroccan premier called for lifting the embargo against Iraq and renewed Morocco's attachment to the respect of Iraq's territorial integrity.