In a statement to MAP at the end of a meeting with Morocco's Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, on the sidelines of an informal meeting of the 5+5 group leaders, held in Libya's capital, Frattini said that El Fassi informed him about "the latest developments of Morocco's initiative to grant substantial autonomy to its southern provinces under Moroccan sovereignty", underlining that this initiative is "important and must be examined". 

    Frattini seized this occasion to voice his hope for a positive solution (to the Sahara issue) which serves all interests, especially Maghreb integration.

    The Italian minister also described the bilateral ties between Morocco and Italy as excellent, particularly at the economic level, saying that the 5+5 group is working "to achieve convincing results, especially in the fields of immigration, security and development".

    Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi had arrived to Tripoli on Wednesday to represent HM the king Mohammed VI in the festivities marking Libya's September 1 revolution and in the 5+5 group meeting.