Maghreb looks to Europe amid growing Malian crisis

Morocco’s Interior Minister, Mohand Laenser Rabat – Judy Sabbagh Diplomatic meetings between Maghreb and European countries are set to begin on Friday amid growing discussions of recent developments in the Malian crisis.Interior ministries from Morocco , Spain and Portugal are scheduled to meet on Friday to draft rules establishing an expanded programme of cooperation in the face of threats to security and stability in the region.
Analysts have suggested impetus for bilateral agreements has greatly increased following the French military intervention against al-Qaeda-linked Islamists in northern Mali and the Algerian In Amenas hostage crisis last week.
Moroccan authorities allowed French jet fighters to pass through national airspace en route to Mali.
French troops continue to launch deadly attacks on Islamists in support of Mali’s central Bamako government.