Moroccans are hailing a decision to cancel the planned visit of former Israeli President Shimon Peres as a “victory” for popular efforts. Days of Palestine reports that, this past Friday, thirty Moroccan civil and political committees released a joint statement condemning Peres’ visit to Morocco. In the same day, a group of human rights lawyers filed papers demanding Peres arrest for war crimes upon his arrival in the Kingdom. The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas also asked Moroccan officials that the infamous Israeli politician be blocked from entering Morocco. The Clinton Global Initiative for the Middle East and North Africa, which is to hold a conference in Marrakech between Tuesday and Thursday, removed Peres from the list of guests. Responding to popular calls, Morocco suspended its diplomatic relations and closed Israel’s liaison offices in Casablanca and Tangiers when the second Palestinian Intifada started in 2000. more

George Galloway's office in London has responded to the Guardian's article but not to the substance of Hossam el-Hamalawy's original posting at 3arabawy . This is how Rob Hoveman, an ex-comrade of mine, puts it: We are currently negotiating entry into Egypt and passage through to Gaza. The Egyptian authorities are doing everything they can to assist the process and we are in their hands, as we have been with all the other governments whose countries we have crossed in order to take these vital supplies into Gaza. We wish the convoy well and continue to support the endeavours of all those involved and applaud their commitment, but at the same time continue to worry that any meetings with Mubarak's NDP can only be used by the regime. And is it the case that the opposition is turning its back on the convoy? Also, will George be meeting with the hated steel boss Ahmed Ezz? To repeat what we have said many times about this journey across the Maghreb: the convoy is engaged i...

Can't wait to hear how UK foreign secretary Miliband tries to explain this one. From the Guardian Binyam Mohamed, a former UK resident who is flying home after four years of incarceration at Guantánamo Bay, today accused Britain of involvement in his alleged torture . "I have to say, more in sadness than in anger, that many have been complicit in my own horrors over the past seven years," he said in a statement his lawyers released shortly before the chartered plane bringing him back from the US detention camp in Cuba was due to land at RAF Northolt, near London. "For myself, the very worst moment came when I realised in Morocco that the people who were torturing me were receiving questions and materials from British intelligence," he said. "I have met with British intelligence in Pakistan. I had been open with them. Yet the very people who I had hoped would come to my rescue I later realised had allied themselves with my abusers. "I am not asking for ...

This is the first report on the Beeb since the convoy left - with the exception of the 'terror' arrests. They probably noticed the rest of the world reporting on the convoy and thought they better catch up, despite their pro-Israel biases. From the BBC The border between Morocco and Algeria, closed for almost 15 years, has been temporarily reopened for an aid convoy heading towards the Gaza Strip. The convoy of 99 vehicles, which left from the UK loaded with medicine, food, clothes and toys, crossed into Algeria near the Moroccan town of Oujda. The frontier was shut in 1994 after Morocco accused Algeria of involvement in an attack on a hotel in Marrakech. The convoy is due to cross from Egypt to Gaza in early March

[11:24 GMT 21 Feb - Brass bands are playing on both sides of the border - Convoy is just crossing the border with Algeria. Historic - not been opened for 10 years since the Mariam appeal bus went through! - twitter.com/georgegalloway see twitter feed below ] Yvonne Ridely report from Press TV Viva Palestina bridging Moroccon, Algerian gap Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:45:33 GMT By Yvonne Ridley #Although there are still thousands of miles separating the convoy from its end game of delivering aid to Gaza, Saturday's border crossing is the one which will be recorded in the history books. Morocco and Algeria agreed to put aside their differences to open their land border for the first time in 15 years for the sake of Palestine. Palestine has often been described as the key which can open the door to Middle East peace, but tomorrow it will open a door in the Maghreb which has been tightly shut since 1994. * Yvonne Ridley and film-maker Hassan al Banna Ghani are part of the "Viva Palestina...

From viva palestina 17.00 GMT En route for the border The bulk of the convoy is now en route for the Moroccan border town of Oujda (see map) and are expected to arrive in the early evening tonight. The Manchester boys (whose vehicles had broken) have now arrived in Oujda having been given a police escort. Having been delayed they are now ahead of the main convoy. George Galloway has also issued a press statement on the release of three drivers from Burnley who had been held for a week in a supposedly 'intelligence-led' operation. "Nine innocent people were prevented by the police from joining our convoy with vital aid to meet the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," said George Galloway this afternoon. "The follow up action by the police, which has apparently included the strip-searching of an Imam and his wife in their own home in Blackburn, has gravely damaged their relations with the community whose trust they need to win... ..."I am writing to the Chief Consta...

Morocco and Algria open border George Galloway welcomes freeing of convoy drivers [19:00 GMT 19 Feb - Brilliant news about our brothers from Lancashire all being released. Yet another political arrest designed to make people fearful. - Resting at Sidi Harazem outside Fes - still waiting for people to catch up! Getting loads of planning done. Amazing reception again.twitter.com/george galloway see twitter feed below ] Morocco and Algeria are to open their border to allow the Viva Palestina aid convoy to cross. This is an unprecedented move between the countries that have been in dispute with each other for years.

TV broadcast from Press TV on the arrival of the Viva Palestina aid convoy in Morocco. The government has cancelled a big rally planned in Casablanca 'for internal reasons'. According to the Press TV report 100,000 were expected to attend. The governments of North Africa are clearly worried about the potential of this convoy to show up their own feebleness on the Palestine issue and to galvanise opposition among ordinary people frustrated by their rulers' policies at home and abroad. Security was also very heavy in Tangiers.

[22:30 GMT 18 Feb - En route to Fes, in Morocco. Will spend time there waiting for vehicles to catch up. - A great day. Local kids gave us Moroccan flags with messages for Palestinian children. Had meals with the locals in Rabbat] [A great day. Local kids gave us Moroccan flags with messages for Palestinian children. Had meals with the locals in Rabbat.] [19:00 GMT People have been donating money in the street; please join them - go to http://www.vivapalestina.org/donate.htm ... and click "donate" now!] twitter.com/georgegalloway The Moroccan government has put people up in hotels and provided a police escort as the convoy make its way to Fez. The drivers wrongly arrested by the police in Britian are trying to catch up.

From gazaconvoy.com Here is an account of the Bradford crew’s experience………… “The feeling is immense peace, love, respect and humbleness. The people here are true brothers welcoming us with food, love and hospitality. When the convoy got off the ferry from Spain to Tangier the whole convoy group joined together in one big Jummat. We managed to get hold of Gerorge Galloway and record his declaration of gratitude to the Bradford crew. Will be uploaded soon as possible! Everyone is fine and enjoying the experience. It’s beautiful reading namaz in the open air, with millions of stars in the sky or with a blazing hot sun and cool breeze. We are heading to Rabbat. Keep us in your duahs!”

[15:40 GMT 18 Feb - Just driven @ 40mph through the streets of Tangier. Crowds of people lined the route cheering, giving victory signs, waving. Amazing! - twitter.com/georgegalloway see twitter feed below ] From the Daily Star Lebanon In Morocco, anger at Arab collusion against Gaza ...The post-Gaza political battle already resembles that of other past conflicts where squabbling Arab leaders were left seeking self-preservation and longing to score political propaganda points against each other. As is often the case, Arab unity is held hostage to a game of regional rivalries where the so-called forces of moderation, backed by the United States and now Israel, try to roll back those of radicalism... By Anouar Boukhars, an assistant professor of political science and director of the Center for Defense and Security Policy at Wilberforce University. This commentary first appeared at bitterlemons-international.org , an online newsletter that publishes views on Middle Eastern and Islamic is...