Moroccan king to miss Mediterranean summit

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco's King Mohammed is unable to attend the launch of the 43-nation Union for the Mediterranean in Paris on Sunday because of commitments at home but will be represented by his brother, officials said.

The royal palace's head of protocol, Chakib Laroussi, said the king's brother, Prince Moulay Rachid, was already in Paris for the summit.

"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.

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

Morocco, a staunch French ally, has given strong backing to the project and local media have reported the north African country could bid to become the union's general secretary.

(Reporting by Tom Pfeiffer)