Morocco calls for Arab reconciliation summit

Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi called for holding a summit of Arab reconciliation that "can only be reached through dialogue."

In a statement published by Egyptian newspapers following the holding in Morocco of the permanent bureau of the Arab Lawyers Union, the prime minister noted that the latest Arab summit was held several years ago, while the European Union is holding two summits a year.

To a question of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Youssoufi held Israel responsible for the deadlock in view of its failure to enforce the peace agreements. He further renewed Morocco's support to the Palestinian cause, underlining that the Kingdom backs the Palestinian people's right to self rule and to establish their independent state with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as their capital.

Youssoufi, who is leading since March 98 a leftist-center coalition government, also underscored the need to respect international charters and conventions on human rights, stressing that Morocco has ratified all human rights conventions and has included issues related to human rights in school syllabi.

He also cited the agreement signed between Morocco and the United Nations to set up in Rabat a human rights documentation, information and training center, adding that this center will have a positive impact on the whole Maghreb region.