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Moroccan Government Approves Plan to Promote Youths

Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani delivers his first speech presenting the government's program at the Moroccan Parliament in Rabat, Morocco April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal
Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani delivers his first speech presenting the government's program at the Moroccan Parliament in Rabat, Morocco April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal
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Moroccan Government Approves Plan to Promote Youths

Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani delivers his first speech presenting the government's program at the Moroccan Parliament in Rabat, Morocco April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal
Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani delivers his first speech presenting the government's program at the Moroccan Parliament in Rabat, Morocco April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

The Moroccan government has approved a plan to promote youths and enable them to play an effective role in developing the country.

Government spokesperson Mustapha Khalfi said in a press conference on Thursday that the roadmap set by the Ministry of Youth and Sport would provide opportunities that qualify youths to move to adulthood through high-quality education and access to respectful jobs, adequate health services and active participation in social, political and cultural life.

The new policy’s objectives include increasing economic opportunities available for youths, enhancing services presented to them, reducing geographical gaps, reinforcing their effective participation in social life, and advancing the respect for human rights.

Khalfi said Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani tackled during the cabinet session the importance of monitoring prices during the month of Ramadan.

In another context, the Moroccan PM prepares to brief the parliament on Monday on his government's achievements in the first half of its term in line with article 101 of the constitution. 

Moreover, Othmani chaired in Rabat on Wednesday the second meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee to follow up and facilitate the government program.

During the meeting, Othmani lauded the joint efforts of public sector institutions in implementing the government program. He also noted that several achievements have been made.

The PM added that workshops and programs are in progress while taking into consideration the aspirations of citizens.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee was established in August 2017. It consists of all cabinet members.

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Four Bodies, Four Survivors Recovered from Egypt Red Sea Sinking, Says Governor

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
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Four Bodies, Four Survivors Recovered from Egypt Red Sea Sinking, Says Governor

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)

Rescuers on Tuesday recovered four bodies and four survivors a day after a diving boat capsized off Egypt's eastern coast, Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi said, with eight people still missing.

Among the survivors were two Belgians, one Swiss national and one Egyptian, the governor said, bringing the total number of survivors from the vessel to 32. The four dead have not yet been identified and eight people remain missing.

"Rescue operations are ongoing today, supported by a military helicopter and a frigate in addition to multiple divers," Hanafi told AFP.

The vessel was carrying 31 tourists of multiple nationalities and a 13-member crew when it was hit by a large wave early on Monday, leading it to capsize near Marsa Alam in southeastern Egypt. The "Sea Story" had embarked on a multi-day diving trip on Sunday and had been due to dock on Friday at the town of Hurghada, 200 kilometres (124 miles) north.

The governor on Monday said the boat had sunk within 5-7 minutes of its impact with the wave, leaving some passengers -- among them European, Chinese and American tourists -- unable to escape their cabins in time.

- Survivors -

Rescuers from the military and a passing tourist boat had pulled 28 people from the waters on Monday. According to a source at a hospital in Marsa Alam, six tourists and three Egyptians were admitted with minor injuries and discharged on Monday.

The tourists included "two Germans, two Britons, one Spaniard and one Swiss national," the hospital administrator told AFP, requesting anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

According to the governor's office, the boat was carrying tourists from Belgium, Britain, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

Among the missing are two Polish and two Finnish tourists, according to both countries' foreign ministries.

Authorities have said the vessel was fully licensed and had passed all its inspection checks. A preliminary investigation showed no technical fault.

The Marsa Alam area experienced at least two similar boat accidents earlier this year but there were no fatalities. The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, a country of 107 million that is in the grip of a serious economic crisis.

Nationally, the tourism sector employs two million people and generates more than 10 percent of its GDP.

Dozens of dive boats crisscross between Red Sea coral reefs and islands off Egypt's eastern coast every day, where safety regulations are robust but unevenly enforced.

Earlier this month, 30 people were rescued from a sinking dive boat near the Red Sea's Daedalus reef. In June, two dozen French tourists were evacuated safely before their boat sank in a similar accident.

Last year, three British tourists died when a fire broke out on their yacht.