Algeria Foreign Relations Morocco

Large crowds of Algerians flooded into Morocco for a shopping spree in the border town of Oujda on Sunday when the border was reopened after being closed for 12 years. The Moroccan authorities rolled out a welcome mat at the frontier post of Zoudj Bghal (Two Mules), nine miles east of Oujda, specially repainted and decorated with bunting and flags for the occasion. Many Moroccans also poured over the frontier to visit relatives among the estimated 300,000 Moroccans living in Algeria.

Large crowds of Algerians flooded into Morocco for a shopping spree in the border town of Oujda on Sunday when the border was reopened after being closed for 12 years. The Moroccan authorities rolled out a welcome mat at the frontier post of Zoudj Bghal (Two Mules), nine miles east of Oujda, specially repainted and decorated with bunting and flags for the occasion. Many Moroccans also poured over the frontier to visit relatives among the estimated 300,000 Moroccans living in Algeria.

The once-feuding North African neighbors of Morocco and Algeria will eliminate visa requirements for each other's citizens and gradually begin opening borders next week, officials said Wednesday. The announcement comes two weeks after the countries restored diplomatic relations after a 12-year split over a territorial dispute in the Western Sahara.

The once-feuding North African neighbors of Morocco and Algeria will eliminate visa requirements for each other's citizens and gradually begin opening borders next week, officials said Wednesday. The announcement comes two weeks after the countries restored diplomatic relations after a 12-year split over a territorial dispute in the Western Sahara.