Morocco's King to miss MediterraneanMorocco's King Mohammed to miss Mediterranean summit in Paris summit

Rabat: The King of Morocco will not be able to attend the Union for the Mediterranean summit in Paris because of commitments at home, officials said on Sunday.

King Mohammed will instead be represented by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid at the 43-nation meet, the royal palace's head of protocol, Chakib Laroussi said.

"As it is a summit, normally it would be the head of state who attends but his majesty the king is in the provinces to launch several projects," said Laroussi.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a speech laying out his vision for a union in which Mediterranean states could deepen cooperation on trade, security, the environment, education and migration while in the Moroccan city of Tangier last year.

Morocco has strongly supported the project and according to media reports, the country may bid to become the union's general secretary.