1.8 Million moroccan expatriates cross Gibraltar Strait in summer

Some 1.8 million Moroccan expatriates in Europe will cross this summer the Gibraltar strait toward Morocco for holidays, sources from the Moroccan-Spanish Commission in charge of supervising the crossing operation (Transit-99) said.

The number of Moroccan expatriates who will cross the strait this year may increase by 7 to 10% compared to 1998, said the commission which met last week in Granada (southern Spain) to debate preparations for the Transit-99 operation.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 persons will be mobilized to organize the operation, supervise the heavy traffic and extend social and medical assistance to the travellers.

Twelve ferry-boats will make daily shuttles to transport the immigrants between the Moroccan and Spanish ports.