Arafat in Morocco to consult with King Hassan

Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, who is currently on a world tour to rally support for the future independent Palestinian state, arrived on Monday in Marrakesh to consult with King Hassan II.

Arafat told the press he came to Morocco to consult with King Hassan II "on the best path" to follow pending the deadline of May 4, 1999, "set for the beginning of a new era" for the Palestinian people.

The Oslo accord, concluded between Palestinians and Israelis under the co-sponsorship of the USA and Russia, provides for the proclamation of an independent Palestinian state by May 4, 1999.

The accord does not only commit Palestinians and Israelis, it is rather an international covenant that Israel should respect, Arafat said. This is not unfortunately the case with the present Israeli government, he said.

Arafat underlined that he came to Morocco to consult with King Hassan II, chairman of the Alquds Committee, in this "significant and crucial phase."

The Al-Quds Committee is an offshoot of the Organization of Islamic Conference, that seeks to preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of the Holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem).