HLA genes in Arabic-speaking Moroccans: close relatedness to Berbers and Iberians

The gene profile of Arabic speaking Moroccans has been compared with those of other Mediterranean populations in order to provide additional informati on about the history of their origins. Our HLA data suggest that most Moroc cans are of a Berber (Imazighen) origin and that Arabs who invaded North Af rica and Spain in the 7th century A.D. did not Substantially contributed to the gene pool; however, they imposed their advanced culture and their reli gion. Present-day Egyptians are also related to Moroccan Berbers and this s upports an ancient Saharan origin for part of the present-day Mediterranean s, particularly for the Arabic-speaking ones (also Algerians) and also for the older substratum of Mediterranean people.