Headlines from the region

Morocco’s anti-drug action

The global strategy to combat drugs, adopted by the Moroccan government has “significantly” reduced cannabis production in recent years in Morocco, said Monday the U.S. State Department.

“The progress made in Morocco in the fight against drug trafficking is the result of the overall strategy to combat drugs adopted by the Moroccan government,” said the State Department in its latest report on the strategy against drugs in the world, released in Washington.

The strategy adopted by the Kingdom, the same source said, combines efforts to strengthen existing laws, eradicate cannabis cultivation and reduce demand with economic development, in view to eradicate the cultivation of cannabis in northern Morocco.

Serbia beats Algeria 3-0

An early goal from Marko Pantelic and second-half strikes by substitutes Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Dusko Tosic gave Serbia a 3-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifier Algeria in a friendly match on Wednesday.

Ajax striker Pantelic opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Algeria goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui came for a cross and missed it.

Following a swift counterattack, Algeria striker Karim Matmour found himself alone in the box only to see goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic deny his effort with a fine save in the 28th minute.

Tunisia education portal gets improvements

Tunisia’s educational portal, “edunet” has recently undergone a facelift, thanks to the introduction of several innovations including a more interactive platform which is presented in 3 languages, namely, Arabic, French and English.

“Edunet’s visitors will also have access to a discussion forum and a slide show featuring some of the issues of the date such as the Tunisian anti tobacco campaign.

Libya puts trade embargo on Swiss

Libya slapped a trade embargo on Switzerland on Wednesday and demanded the U.S. apologize for comments about Moammar Gadhafi’s call for a jihad against the European state. Libya’s spat with Switzerland began in July 2008 when police in Geneva arrested Gadhafi’s son, Hannibal, on charges — later dropped — of mistreating two domestic employees. After the Libyan leader declared a holy war against Switzerland over its ban on new minarets, Philip Crowley, the assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said it reminded him of Gadhafi’s speech last year before the United Nations.

China reiterates Darfur support

Chinese Special Envoy to Darfur, Liu Guijin, on Wednesday reiterated his country’s support to the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the Darfur crisis.

“China believes in the importance of finding a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement on the Darfur issue, and encouraging the conflicting parties to achieve a comprehensive peace and resolve the root-causes of conflicts in the region,” Liu told reporters after his meeting with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

UN to tackle Iran nuclear crisis

The president of the U.N. Security Council said on Tuesday it was ready to tackle proposals for new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, while U.S. diplomats worked to persuade China that action is needed.

Gabon’s U.N. Ambassador Emanuel Issoze-Ngondet, president of the Security Council for March, said the Iranian nuclear issue was not on the agenda of the 15-nation panel this month, but council members might still hold a meeting on it.

BM