RABAT, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan authorities said on Friday that more than 700 exhibitors will participate in the 24th edition of Casablanca International Book Fair slated for Feb. 8-18.

Some 350 writers, poets and researchers will take part in the book fair, Mohamed Laaraj, the Moroccan minister of Culture and Communication, said at a press briefing held for the fair.

Egypt will be the guest of honor of the book fair, he added.

The choice of Egypt as the guest of honor reflects "the strong and renewed links between the two brotherly countries," Laaraj noted.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Ambassador to Morocco Ashraf Ibrahim also said the participation of his country as the guest of honor mirrors the distinguished cultural ties between the two countries.

One of the main goals of the book fair, which includes thematic conferences on "cinema and literature," "literature and photography" and "literature and television series," is to raise popular awareness about the benefits of regular reading, the minister said.