Moroccan, Israeli prime ministers hold meeting in Paris

Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi held a meeting in Paris on Tuesday with Israeli Prime minister Ehud Barak, on the sidelines of the 21st congress of the International Socialist (IS), held in the French capital city.

The meeting was held at Barak's initiative, Youssoufi told MAP bureau in Paris, adding that meetings between IS members were normal and favor "a permanent dialogue to find adequate solutions" and "push forward the peace process."

Youssoufi, who is first secretary of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and vice-president of the IS, said, "Morocco has always played a key role in activating the peace process" in the Middle East and "has always tried to exert its influence so that the standpoint of our friends, the Palestinians, be taken into account."

At a press briefing, Barak said, "Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, will continue to play a key role" in reactivating the peace process.

After he recalled that he met King Mohammed VI in Rabat during the funeral of the late King Hassan II last July 25, the Israeli premier paid tribute to the late sovereign for his outstanding role in upholding peace. He equally paid tribute to the late King Mohammed V, who had refused to implement the anti-Jewish laws of the French Vichy government during World War II.

The 21st congress of the International Socialist (IS) is convening in Paris this November 8-10.