Algeria denies killing of Moroccan shepherd by border guards

Algeria denied news reported by a Moroccan daily that Algerian border guards shot dead on Sunday an 18-year old Moroccan shepherd near the sea resort of Saidia (eastern Morocco).

Algeria also denied news that more than 50 Algerians are arrested weekly in Morocco that they enter illegally in an attempt to emigrate to Europe.

Algerian news agency "APS" quoted an official spokesman as saying the news are "baseless."

Moroccan daily "Al-Ittihad Al-Ichtiraki" reported Tuesday that Algerian border guards have killed a Moroccan shepherd who was grazing his herd in the Moroccan territory.

According to two eye witnesses, the Algerian border guards entered the Moroccan territory to try to take the corpse of the young man but were prevented from doing so, the daily said.

Another Moroccan daily "Al Alam" reported that an average of 50 Algerians, who use Morocco as a transit to try to enter illegally Europe, are arrested weekly in Morocco.