Morocco stresses its respect for being neighborly with all

RABAT, Morocco (AA) - Morocco's government spokesman Mustapha Baitas insisted Thursday that his country is neighborly to all of its neighbors.

"For the neighboring countries, Morocco sticks to the strict respect for the principles of good neighborliness with all," Baitas said at a news conference following a Cabinet meeting.

He added that Morocco’s foreign minister is responsible for diplomatic and international relations and once there is an issue, the foreign minister will make a statement or comment.

Baitas' comments were in response to Algeria's accusation early this week about Morocco killing three of its nationals.

Algeria's Presidency blamed Morocco on Wednesday for the killing of the Algerians in the border area with Mauritania. Their trucks were traveling between Algeria’s Ouargala province and Nouakchott in Mauritania.

Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco on Aug. 24, accusing Rabat of having "hostile tendencies." Morocco dismissed the accusations.

Algerian-Moroccan ties have been tense for decades against the backdrop of the disputed Sahara region between Rabat and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara