Saudi minister denies mediation between Morocco and Algeria

Saudi Arabia did not conduct any mediation move between Morocco and Algeria, said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.

"Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and vice-president of the ministers' council and chief of the National Guard did not conduct a mediation between Morocco and Algeria during the visit he paid to Algiers on October 11-12," Prince Saud said in a statement quoted by the Algerian news agency, APS, MAP reported.

"There was no Saudi mediation between the two countries and the issue was not raised during the talks" with the Algerian authorities, the Saudi foreign minister told reporters.

Only the media are talking about this mediation, he said, adding that Saudi Arabia wishes to see relations between the two states hoisted to the highest level.

Earlier press reports had said that the Saudi crown prince -- who visited Morocco and Algeria, part of a Maghreban tour -- would attempt to create a positive climate to settle the pending problems between Morocco and Algeria.