Morocco to resolve immigration

2005-10-04 22:25

Rabat - Morocco's interior minister has called for a "genuine Marshall plan" for sub-Saharan Africa to resolve the causes of illegal immigration.

Mustapha Sahel issued the appeal on Monday on the margins of a meeting in Rabat of southern European and North African interior ministry officials.

He said Mediterranean countries must co-operate more effectively against illegal immigration. He urged European nations to open up the possibilities for legal immigration and appealed for a "genuine Marshall plan in favour of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa".

The original Marshall Plan helped revive Europe after World War 2.

Hundreds of Africans in recent weeks have ripped through and scaled high-security fences at the borders between Morocco and two Spanish enclaves.

Moroccan authorities said they arrested 194 illegal immigrants following the latest assault Monday on the enclave of Melilla, when hundreds of Africans ripped through a high-security fence, struggling over razor wire and fighting with police.

Morocco says its security forces, about 1 500 officers backed by helicopters, have arrested nearly 1 000 illegal immigrants in the area around the enclave since the middle of last week.

- SAPA