Rabat, April 9 -- The president of the Arab World Institute (IMA), Jack Lang, expressed his "absolute support" for the Maghreb joint bid to include couscous on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.

"I am very pleased that the Maghreb countries have come together to nominate this iconic dish that is inspiring millions of people from around the world," Lang told the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).

The former French minister of culture added that "it is fantastic that the countries and peoples of the Maghreb have come together on a cultural issue."

In March, UNESCO representatives from Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, and Tunisia submitted a joint bid, calling on UNESCO to include the traditional dish on UNESCO's heritage list.

Morocco's Permanent R...