Talks on Arab situation

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 9

Talks on Arab situation

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

CAIRO, July 15.

President Sadat of Egypt and President Gaddafi of Libya will hold a second round of talks on the general Arab situation today, after reports that Libya had severed relations with Morocco.

The two leaders met for 90 minutes urgent consultation in the Egyptian resort town of Mersa Matruh last night. Then President Sadat had consultations with a fourmember Sudanese mission.

Meanwhile, the Middle East News Agency reported from Tripoli that Libya had broken off diplomatic ties with Morocco and declared its continued support of last Saturday’s abortive coup against King Hassan. REQUEST TO EGYPT

The news agency said the Libyan Government had asked Egypt to look after its interests in Rabat where, it said, its Embassy has been occupied by the Moroccan Army.

Reports from Libya said the Ambassador and his staff were all under arrest, in Rabat.

But King Hassan said earlier this week that he did not intend to take the initiative by breaking off relations with Libya. He said he did not “give a Royal damn” for Libya after Tripoli Radio broadcast messages of support for the Moroccan Army mutineers. OTHER SUBJECTS Other subjects likely to be discussed at the talks were the Middle East crisis and the latest fighting between the Palestine commandos and

King Hussein’s troops in Jordan.

There was no word about the arrival of the Syrian who are members of a projected federation with Egyp. and Libya. This is expected to emerge after a plebiscite in the three countries , next September. Sudan has dropped out of the federation.