Morocco sends relief to quake victims in Algeria

Two Moroccan planes flew Monday to the Algerian city of Oran to deliver a humanitarian assistance to the victims of the earthquake that rocked recently the Algerian western areas.

The assistance is sent in accordance with the instructions of King Mohammed VI and reflects Morocco's solidarity with Algeria, the Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation department said in a release.

A strong earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, jolted western Algeria last week, killing 28 people and injuring 175.

The Moroccan assistance consists of foodstuffs, medicines and blankets.

Algerian Presidency official, Ali Benflis, voiced, on behalf of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, gratitude to Morocco for the humanitarian assistance, which testifies to the strong ties of brotherhood binding the two Maghreban nations.