France
apologised to Morocco on Friday after the kingdom's foreign minister
was searched while transiting at a Paris airport, the latest incident
that has strained ties between Rabat and its former colonial ruler.
The two countries are already
at odds over a row that erupted in February when French police tried to
question the head of Rabat's intelligence service during a visit to
Paris over accusations his agency was involved in torture.
The dispute prompted Morocco to suspend judicial cooperation with France and to summon the French ambassador.
According
to various Moroccan media reports citing sources, Foreign Minister
Salaheddine Mezouar was asked to remove his shoes, vest and belt at
Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport as he transited from The Hague to
Morocco earlier this week.
His personal effects and suitcase were also searched despite indicating his position and diplomatic passport.
Foreign
Minister "Laurent Fabius called his Moroccan counterpart to apologize
on behalf of the French authorities for the inconvenience he suffered,"
foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal told reporters.
"Errors
were made at Charles de Gaulle airport. The minister immediately asked
the relevant authorities at the Interior Ministry and airport that
everything be done to strictly adhere to diplomatic rules and norms that
apply to foreign ministers, heads of state and governments," said
Nadal.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-france-morocco-dispute-idUSBREA2R14M20140328
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