King Mohammed calls world to help Africa

King Mohammed VI on Thursday urged the international community to help Africa fend off a serious catastrophe.

The situation in Africa "constitutes a challenge to the international community in undertaking action to help the continent fend off a serious catastrophe," King Mohammed VI said at an exchange of toasts during a dinner banquet hosted in honor of visiting President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China.

President Zemin paid an official visit to Morocco, meant to boost bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially economic and commercial ones.

King Mohammed VI underlined that the world is witness to a serious crisis in its various parts, especially in Africa as a stage for armed conflicts, civil wars, power struggle, epidemics, hunger and illiteracy.

The king stressed that Morocco "feels very much concerned, considering the special ties it entertains with African countries. Out of a sense of solidarity and belonging, Morocco has always endeavored to establish a trilateral cooperation whose efficiency and positive impact have proven true by practice."

King Mohammed VI, who lauded China's solidarity and support for Africa, voiced the kingdom's readiness to be associated to the Asian nation's action within a productive and constructive trilateral cooperation, "The aim being that of transferring our skills and experiences to our African partners, particularly in vital fields, such as those of training."

Morocco, which left the Organization of African Unity in the early 1980's following the admission of the so-called Sahrawi Republic in its fold, continued to entertain privileged ties with most African nations.