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RABAT (AFP): The solar-powered plane that last week made the world's first inter-continental flight by such an aircraft took off Wednesday on its toughest challenge yet -- flying in Morocco's desert climate.

Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg steered the Solar Impulse into the skies from Rabat airport at 0707 GMT and headed south toward the city of Ouarzazate where he is expected to land around 2300 GMT if all goes well.

"This flight will certainly be the most difficult the plane has ever undertaken due to the hot and dry nature of the climate as well as the proximity of the massive Atlas mountains," towering up to more than 3,000 metres (9,800 feet), said a statement released by organisers on Tuesday.

"It is potentially extremely dangerous," said Borschberg.

"I know it is not going to be easy but I have the deep feeling that we know enough" to make a successful landing in the desert.

The high-tech aircraft, which has the wingspan of a large airliner but weighs no more than a medium-sized car, is fitted with 12,000 solar cells feeding four electric motors and flies without using a drop of fuel.