RABAT, Morocco

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has called for establishing normal relations with regional rival Algeria.

"We aspire to work with the Algerian presidency so that Morocco and Algeria can work hand in hand to establish normal relations between two brotherly peoples," the monarch said in a speech marking the 23rd anniversary of his accession to the throne.

He said Morocco’s borders with Algeria won't "separate the Moroccan and Algerian brothers" and will never "be barriers preventing their interactions and understanding."

King Mohammed also urged Moroccans to adhere to the values of "fraternity, solidarity and good neighborliness towards our Algerian brothers."

There was no comment from the Algerian authorities on the king’s speech.

Last year, Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing Rabat of having "hostile tendencies," an accusation denied by Moroccan authorities.

Moroccan-Algerian ties have been tense for decades against the backdrop of the disputed Western Sahara region between Rabat and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara