King Mohammed meets Palestinian president

King Mohammed VI received in Rabat Monday Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, who paid a short visit to Morocco.

The Palestinian president attended on Monday the religious service marking the 40th day of the passing away of King Hassan II.

Upon arrival to Morocco on Monday, Arafat said his talks with the Moroccan king who shoulders "an important responsibility at the Arab and Islamic levels, in his capacity as chairman of Al-Quds Committee" are taking place at a moment the peace process is experiencing difficulties, citing "several Arab, European and American initiatives to move forward the peace process."

Al-Quds committee, an organization stemming from the organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has been chaired since its creation in 1975 by the late King Hassan II.

On his part secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee, Mahmoud Abbas, who accompanied Arafat, held the Israelis responsible for the obstacles hindering the peace process. He said the Palestinians are not hindering the peace process, they want to reach an agreement the soonest because it is in the interest of peace, of Palestinians and of Israelis.