25/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Moroccan government has announced its intention of signing a cooperation agreement with UNHCR. This agreement will reinforce the status of the UNHCR headquarters in Rabat, by making it into a proper representation. It will also help the staff of the organisation to open up communication channels with the national, regional and local authorities. Up to now, UNHCR Rabat has registered some 600 refugees and 1,000 asylum seekers, mainly originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Iraq, Sierra Leone and Liberia. At the end of 2005, the Moroccan authorities had refused to allow the United Nations agency for refugees to meet immigrants under arrest in Morocco, even though they were in possession of papers issued by the UNHCR (EUROPE 9054). (bc)