MAGHNIA, Algeria, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Algerian authorities have agreed to temporarily reopen a major border crossing with Morocco so Moroccan bicyclists can compete in a race.
Borders between the countries have been closed since 1994 but Algerian authorities agreed to open an entry point at Zouj Bghal for one day, al-Arabiya reported Monday.
A judge in the Algerian town of Maghnia said the "political orders from the [Algerian] government" were given to open the border. The judge said the reopening is a response to a request from the Moroccan government.
In 1994, Morocco accused Algerian authorities of planning a bombing at a hotel in the Moroccan city of Marrakech. Moroccan authorities then placed visa requirements on Algerians traveling to Morocco.
In response, Algeria put visa requirements on Moroccans and moved to close the borders.
In recent years, the two North African countries have been encouraged to cooperate by the uprisings in neighboring Tunisia and Libya and terrorism threats posed by al-Qaida in the region.
Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci said there are some "positive developments" in relations with Morocco.
