Moroccan-Algerian summit could be held at end of mourning period

An Algerian-Moroccan summit could be held at the end of the forty-day mourning period decreed in Morocco after the passing away last July 23 of King Hassan II, Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa said Thursday in Algiers.

The head of Moroccan diplomacy paid on Thursday a brief visit to Algeria, during which he conveyed to the Algerian president a message from King Mohammed VI.

Benaissa told reporters upon leaving Algiers that the meeting between the Moroccan and Algerian heads of state is projected, hoping that it will take place in the coming days, at the end of the mourning period, and after preparations for the meeting are completed.

Regarding his mission in Algiers, Benaissa said he "first expressed the thanks of H.M. King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government and people for the marks of emotion and compassion expressed by His Excellency the Algerian president, the government and people following the bereavement that afflicted the Moroccan people and also the Algerian people because the late H.M. King Hassan II was the king of all of us."

Benaissa went on that he reviewed with the Algerian president bilateral relations and regional issues, especially prospects to develop and deepen cooperation within the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA/gathering Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia).

To a question on the UMA dream which has long been cherished by the late King Hassan II, the foreign minister answered that Morocco is endeavoring, under the leadership of the new king, Mohammed VI, to intensify efforts and move forward together with the other UMA member countries to achieve this dream. "The dream cherished by the late King Hassan II will come true in Algiers next November, date when a UMA summit is projected," Benaissa said.