The National
Morocco on Saturday voiced satisfaction at a UN Security Council resolution endorsing a new peace initiative on the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
Friday’s vote came as UN military observers confirmed that Polisario Front forces, fighting for a breakaway Western Sahara, had withdrawn from the Guerguerat area near the Mauritanian border.
“This action should improve the prospects of creating an environment … to relaunch the negotiating process with a new dynamic and a new spirit,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said after the vote.
The Security Council also voted on Friday to renew the mandate of the MINURSO peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara for a year.
“Morocco welcomes the resolution,” foreign minister Nasser Bourita said.
Mr Bourita also voiced satisfaction with the withdrawal of Polisario forces from the Guerguerat area, but said Rabat would continue to “monitor closely” developments.
The Polisario pullback must be “complete, unconditional and permanent”, he said.
Tensions flared last year after the Polisario set up a new military post in Guerguerat – a stone’s throw from Moroccan soldiers – in response to Morocco starting to build a tarmac road in the area.
Morocco pulled out from the area in late February at the request of the UN.
“The Polisario had to leave Guerguerat under pressure from the Security Council and to avoid a staunch condemnation… this comforts Morocco,” Mr Bourita said.
Rabat insists that the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is an integral part of its kingdom, but the Algeria-based Polisario demands a referendum on self-determination there.
The two sides fought for control of the Western Sahara from 1974 to 1991, with Rabat gaining control of the territory before a UN-brokered ceasefire took effect.
*Associated Press
