Arab former resisters hail King Hassan's action in favor of al-Quds

The union of Arab associations of former resisters, moujahidine (holy warriors) and war victims paid tribute to King Hassan II for his role in defending the holy city of al-Quds (Jerusalem).

The union -- which held its 11th general assembly in Khartoum, Sudan, earlier this month -- hailed the action of the king at the head of the al-Quds committee, an organ of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, entrusted with protecting the holy city against Israel's judaization schemes.

Morocco was represented in the Khartoum meeting by the high commissioner for former resisters and former members of the liberation army, Mohamed Benjelloun.

The assembly adopted a set of recommendations on the assistance to be extended to the elderly and the disabled. It stressed the need to integrate former resisters in the economic and social development process in Arab states.

On the sidelines of the assembly, the union organized a seminar on Arab solidarity that called for the consolidation of Arab ties, for Arab and Islamic coordination on major issues, and for the strengthening of Arab security.

Participants in the seminar also called for the creation of an Arab court of justice that will rule on inter-Arab conflicts and for the reactivation of the Arab common defense treaty.

Participants also adopted several recommendations meant to upgrade inter-Arab economic relations.

The union's 12th general assembly will be held in Tripoli, Libya, in April 2000.