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Israel and Morocco strengthened military ties during meetings Tuesday between the Jewish state's army chief and Moroccan defense officials in the kingdom, amid tension with Rabat's rival Algeria. Israeli army chief Aviv Kohavi, who arrived Monday, met with the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces Belkhir El Farouk, an Israeli army statement said. He also met with Morocco's minister delegate in charge of defense administration, Abdellatif Loudiyi, and intelligence chief Brahim Hassani, it added. It is the first official visit of the Israeli army chief to the North African kingdom. During the discussions, the Moroccan side noted its "interest in jointly setting up industrial defense projects in Morocco", the kingdom's army chief said in a statement. "The meetings discussed opportunities for military cooperation, both in exercises and training, as well as in the operational and intelligence fields," a statement said. Morocco cut relations with Israel in 2000 following the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada but re-established ties two decades later in a deal that saw Washington recognize Rabat's sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara.