Algerian-Moroccan Relations to be Normalized Shortly, Bouteflika Announces

Relations between Algeria and Morocco will be normalized "in the very near future," Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced, pointing out that the closure of borders between Morocco and Algeria had adverse effects on the borders populations.

Bouteflika, who was interviewed on Monday by Kuwaiti Al-Qabas daily, said his participation last July 25 in the funeral of the Late King Hassan II had "the best impact and helped open the door for entente and the exchange of views."

President Bouteflika attended the funeral of the Late Moroccan king who passed away in Rabat last July 23.

After years of tension, winds of reconciliation started to blow on Moroccan-Algerian relations since Bouteflika's election last April.

In his interview with the Kuwaiti daily, Bouteflika said he was delighted to note that the late king informed his son --then crown prince-- of the details of bilateral discussions.

"I expect things to return to normal course in a very near future in order to fulfill, hand in hand (with King Mohammed VI) the same objective: materialize the aspirations of the brotherly Algerian and Moroccan peoples," he said.

The improvement of relations between Morocco and Algeria is a historical, economic and social imperative, he insisted, before adding "our role is to boost these relations and lower all obstacles that hamper the (Maghreban) union process, which is an inevitable necessity."

President Bouteflika praised the Moroccan royal family's role in the victory of the Algerian people during its struggle for liberation.