Arabic News Weekly Edition for Morocco, 2/21/2005
Weekly Edition, Morocco - Week of February 21, 2005
- King Mohammed VI, Gabonese president perform prayer in Hassan II Mosque in Libreville Morocco-Gabon, Local, 2/26/2005
- Smoking, major cause of death in Morocco, health ministry
Smoking is a major cause of death in Morocco, with a high rate of tobacco-associated cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, said Noureddine Chaouki, head of the department of non-transmissible diseases at the health ministry. Morocco, Health, 2/26/2005 - Queen Sofia visits complex for handicapped children northern Morocco
The Queen, who was welcomed by Princess lalla Salma, spouse of King Mohammed VI, made a tour in the facilities of the complex that is run by "Hanane" association, created in 1969. Morocco-Spain, Local, 2/26/2005 - Over 40 Moroccans arrested on Spanish coasts
Spanish sea rescue patrols arrested on Friday afternoon off the southern city of Almunecar a dinghy with 42 Moroccans, including four women, who were trying to stealthily reach the Spanish territories. Morocco-Spain, Local, 2/26/2005 - European jazz festival to be held in the imperial city of Fez
A European jazz festival dubbed "Jazz in Riads" will be organized next March 8-13 in the city of Fez (central Morocco) by the regional tourism center and the French association "Jazz in Riads." Morocco, Local, 2/26/2005 - Pierre Robert denies constitution of terrorist cell in Morocco Morocco, Local, 2/26/2005
- 'La Quatrieme', new Moroccan educational TV on air Monday
The new Moroccan satellite TV "La Quatrieme" will start broadcasting Monday, according to its promoters. Morocco, Education, 2/25/2005 - Moroccan suspected terrorist found hung in Spanish jail
A Moroccan suspected member of a terrorist group that projected attacks in Madrid, was found, Thursday, hung in his prison cell in the Spanish jail of Zuera (north). Morocco-Spain, Local, 2/25/2005 - Morocco highlights investment opportunities for US companies
Morocco's ambassador in Washington, Aziz Mekouar, held this week a series of meetings with American economic operators to talk up trade and investment opportunities in Morocco for U.S. companies. Morocco-USA, Economics, 2/25/2005 - Moroccan Southern authorities brief US congress staffers on Sahara issue
A visiting delegation of US congress staffers was briefed, in Laayoune Thursday, by local authorities on the Sahara issue and on economic and social achievements in the Southern provinces of Morocco. Morocco-USA, Politics, 2/25/2005 - Hassan II Golf Trophy kicks off in Rabat
The 33rd edition of the international Hassan II Golf Trophy started, here Thursday, with the participation of top players from Europe, Asia and North America, in addition to professional and amateur Moroccan golfers. Morocco, Sports, 2/25/2005 - Morocco, Central African countries launch new airline 'Air Cemac'
A new regional African airline called "Air Cemac" was launched, in Libreville Thursday, under a partnership agreement between Morocco's national flag carrier "Royal Air Maroc" (RAM) and officials from five Central African countries, in what is described as a perfect illustration of South-South cooperation. Morocco-Regional, Business, 2/25/2005 - Queen Sofia's in Morocco to visit Children institutions
Queen Sofia of Spain arrived, Thursday, in the Northern town of Tetuan, where she is due to visit several children institutions. Morocco-Spain, Culture, 2/25/2005 - Right body examines warding off violence as a strategy of political management
The Justice and Reconciliation commission (IER) which has held a series of hearings for victims of human rights violations organized on Tuesday a conference to debate means to ward off the use of violence as a strategy of political management. Morocco, Politics, 2/24/2005 - Morocco, Gabon sign four cooperation accords
Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Gabonese President, El Haj Omar Bongo Ondimba, co-chaired, in LibrevilleThursday, the signing of four cooperation accords in fisheries, trade and industry. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 2/24/2005 - Morocco opens its land phone to competition
Morocco is opening to competition its land phone system which is operated currently by "Maroc Telecom." Morocco, Economics, 2/24/2005 - IDB grants $59.94 million loan to Morocco's oil refinery La Samir
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has granted a loan of US $59,94 millions to the Moroccan oil refinery La Samir to finance its rehabilitation and renovation program. Morocco, Business, 2/24/2005 - Morocco's phosphates exports rise by record 26.4pc in 2004
Morocco's state-owned phosphates company (OCP) posted in 2004 a record turnover in exports that were estimated at US $1.74 billion, i.e a 26.4pc increase compared to 2003. Morocco, Economics, 2/24/2005 - Investigations underway on discovery of 10 centuries-old currency North of Morocco
Local authorities in the Northern Moroccan town of Asilah are investigating the mysterious discovery, a month ago, of a batch of coins dating back to almost 10 centuries near a small village called Sidi-Yamani. Morocco, Local, 2/24/2005 - Morocco grants emergency aid to Iran following earthquake Morocco-Iran, Local, 2/23/2005
- Morocco lifts some reservations on international human rights conventions
Morocco decided Monday to lift reservations on some articles of international conventions on racial discrimination and torture, which the north African country had ratified. Morocco, Politics, 2/23/2005 - Moroccan Press: King's African tour to consolidate South-South relations
The Moroccan press underscored Tuesday that King Mohammed VI's tour in three African countries, namely Gabon, Senegal and Burkina Faso, that started Monday, will consolidate South-South relations. Morocco-Regional, Politics, 2/23/2005 - Moroccan micro-finance associations lent 500 million Euros in 2004, minister
Moroccan twelve micro-finance associations okayed 2 million loans estimated at over 500 million euros in 2004, said the Moroccan premier, Driss Jettou. Morocco, Economics, 2/23/2005 - Over 27Kg of chira seized northern Morocco Morocco, Local, 2/23/2005
- NGO inquires on situation of former detainees in Southern Algeria
Members of a London-based NGO inquired, in Laayoune Monday, about the situation of former detainees that were held by the Polisario separatists. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/23/2005 - Sothema IPO is a success, manager
Moroccan private drug maker Sothema initial public offering (IPO) is a success, said Amine Benabdeslem, a manager in Casablanca stock exchange. Morocco, Business, 2/23/2005 - King Mohammed VI arrives in Gabon Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 2/22/2005
- Court orders further probe of former Moroccan Guantanamo detainees
The investigating magistrate in the case of the Moroccan five ex-Guantanamo detainees has decided to continue the probe in the case next march 7, said judicial sources on Monday. Morocco, Local, 2/22/2005 - Egypt approves convention on prisoners exchange with Morocco
The Egyptian parliament approved on Sunday the convention on the exchange of prisoners signed with Morocco in January 2004 at a meeting of the Moroccan-Egyptian high commission. Egypt-Morocco, Local, 2/22/2005 - 'For Bread Alone' to be screened in Cannes Morocco, Local, 2/22/2005
- Rabat, Algiers work for reinforcing mutual trust, Algerian FM
Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, who took part Thursday in the meeting of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)'s foreign ministers, stated that Morocco and Algeria are working for the reinforcement of mutual trust. Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 2/21/2005 - King's visit to Gabon highlighted by several media and officials
The visit Morocco's King Mohammed VI is paying as of this Monday to Gabon is important at the political level, which confirms once again, the exceptional relations existing between the two countries, Gabonese media stories commented over the weekend. Morocco-Gabon, Politics, 2/21/2005 - Official: Amazigh culture part of our democratic society
Promoting Amazigh (Berber) culture is part of our democratic society project, said, in Tiznit (South of Morocco) Saturday, Moroccan Minister of Communication and Spokesman of the Government, Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah. Morocco, Politics, 2/21/2005