Morocco, Algeria should work together to settle Sahara dispute, British MPs
Morocco-UK, Politics, 2/10/2005

A visiting delegation of British MPs has called on Morocco and Algeria to find a solution to the three-decade long Sahara dispute opposing the kingdom to the separatist movement "Polisario."

"Morocco and Algeria are called to work together to find a solution to this problem," said Eric Illesly, leader of the delegation made up of MPs from the House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Algeria-backed Polisario movement has been claiming since 1976 the separation of the Moroccan Southern provinces, known as the Sahara, from the rest of the kingdom. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by the North African country in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

Eric Illesly made the statement following a meeting, here Tuesday, with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa who said the British MPs "understood the reality of the conflict" and insisted that this problem be "discussed between the two brotherly and neighbouring countries, Morocco and Algeria."

The delegation, he added, was briefed on the progress achieved by Morocco and on the reforms heralded under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.

Talks between the Moroccan minister and the British MPs also focused on the situation in the Middle East in particular the summit of Sharm El-Sheikh,(Egypt) between the Palestinian and Israeli Prime Ministers, as well as on the initiative of British Premier Tony Blair aiming at helping African countries overcome their difficulties.

The British delegation is paying a three-day official visit to Morocco aimed, according to Illesly, at promoting exchanges between the two countries. Talks with Moroccan officials and MPs focused on the political reforms under way in Morocco, and on other issues such as security, immigration and relations between the North African country and the European Union.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan MPs urge British peers to help release prisoners in Tindouf   (2/9/2005)
  Sahara issue at the center of talks between Moroccan and British MPs   (10/7/2004)
  NGO for release of Moroccans from Tindouf camps set up in London   (7/5/2004)

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