King Mohammed congratulates new UNESCO chief

King Mohammed VI sent a congratulations message to Koichiro Matsuura, following Matsuura's election as director general of the Paris-based UNESCO. The message carried the sovereign's satisfaction over Matsuura's election and wished him full success in his mission.

King Mohammed VI also renewed Morocco's permanent attachment to the objectives of the UNESCO and recalled the fruitful cooperation ties existing between Morocco and the U.N. agency.

Matsuura, 62, was elected Friday by the UNESCO general conference. He gleaned 146 votes out of 166.