You should be in Israel, Moroccan king tells Powell: Low expectation of breakthrough on US mission

The US secretary of state, Colin Powell, was yesterday publicly rebuked by the Moroccan leader, King Mohammed VI, for his week-long delay in going to Israel.
Mr Powell has been widely criticised by Palestinians and their supporters for the delay, which they say Israel is using to continue its offensive.

He arrived in Morocco yesterday on the first leg of his peace mission, and will visit Spain and Egypt before going on to Israel. After meeting King Mohammed, he called for "a clear statement from Israel that they are beginning to withdraw" from the West Bank and "to do it now".

King Mohammed, one of the moderate Arab leaders who has been trying to act as an intermediary in the Middle East conflict, raised the issue of the delay when the two posed for cameramen. It is rare for an Arab leader to be critical of guests in public. The king said: "Don't you think it was more important to go to Jerusalem first?" Mr Powell replied: "We considered all options."