"Morocco's King Calls for Normalizing Ties with Algeria"

King Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed his desire for a return to normality and open borders with Algeria, despite severed diplomatic ties since 1994. The closure of borders and worsening relations between the two countries have been primarily due to the Western Sahara dispute. Morocco considers the territory its own, while the Algerian-backed Polisario front seeks an independent state. The king also welcomed Israeli recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move criticized by Algeria.