Morocco says Sahara issue impedes activation of Magreb structures

Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said the Sahara issue is the obstacle to activating structures of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), stressing that Morocco is sparing no effort to settle the issue.

Benaissa explained in an interview with "Abu Dhabi" satellite TV channel the Sahara issue has two inseparable dimensions: a procedural one and relationships between two brother and neighboring countries (Morocco and Algeria).

Regarding the procedural dimension, he said it consists of the ongoing United Nations settlement plan, geared to holding a referendum in the Moroccan southern provinces. He went on that the other dimension of the issue lies in relationships between Morocco and Algeria.

It is this intrinsically-linked nature of the two aspects that is actually hindering the activation of the UMA structures, he explained.

We are earnestly endeavoring, together with other brothers of the union (which groups Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) to overcome difficulties and Morocco is also coordinating with the UN secretary general and his special envoy, James Baker, to refer to the Security Council a political settlement to the issue.

Benaissa was interviewed live from Amman where he attended the Arab foreign ministers meeting and is representing King Mohammed VI in the Arab summit held this March 27-28.