Time has come for an Islamic victory in Algeria, Moroccan PM says

The newly elected head of the Moroccan government Abdel Illah Benkiran has declared that time has come for the Algerian Islamists to lead the country through their victory in the upcoming legislative elections.

• Talking to Echououk in a wide –ranging interview, the Moroccan official has asserted that it was unconceivable that the Islamists in Algeria don’t rise to power following the examples of Tunisia and Morocco and that the sole factor that could prevent this, is the existence of several political parties.

• Benkiran has indicated that the borders between the two countries will not be closed eternally declining to fixe a date for their reopening. He has declared that history will lift up the hurdles..

• Talking about the strained relations between Algeria and Morocco, M Benkiran has indicated that despite the apparent tensions, there is a development in the offing although the Algerian authorities are still reluctant. But we feel good vibrations coming from our eastern borders (in reference to Algeria). Both the Moroccan and Algerian people are brothers sooner or later the borders will reopen again and pave the way for the reconstruction of the Maghreb, he added.

•  Replying to a question over a date for the reopening of the borders, the Moroccan Premier has noted that the frontiers were open from the Moroccan side and we look forward to it from the Algerian side, I cannot a date for this but experts close to the issue believe that the moment is approaching, he added.

•  Although high –ranking officials from the two countries exchanged visits like that one paid by the Moroccan FM  Saad Eddine Al Othmani to Algeria and his opposite number Mourad Medelci to Morocco, M Benkiran has asserted that a visit at the highest level was not on the agenda yet.

•  The Moroccan PM has asserted that the Maghreb Union project was not a stillbirth one but faced several hurdles right at the beginning. With God’s will there will be a fresh start because the context has changed with wind of change that swept through Tunisia, Morocco and Libya and even Mauritania is well prepared.

•  As to the nature of relations between the Moroccan and Algerian Islamic parties, Benkiran has indicated that they exchange views between them extensively, noting that even if the Islamists didn’t take the presidency they are present in the government. The problem in Algeria is that there are several Islamic parties and this would reduce their chances to take power in Algeria, he said.