UN Security Council examines latest interim report of secretary general on Sahara

The United Nations Security council held on Tuesday a meeting behind-closed-doors to examine the latest interim-report of UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, on the situation in the Sahara.

The council chairman, Jagdish Koonjul, told reporters the Council members had "a useful exchange of views," after Hadi Annabi, a top official at the UN peace-keeping department made a presentation on the interim-report published on Friday.

In the report, the UN Secretary general said he counts on Morocco, the Polisario, Algeria and Mauritania "to continue their cooperation with his special envoy in the efforts he is making to reach a rapid, lasting and concerted settlement" to the issue.

After he described as "encouraging" the recent liberation of Moroccan prisoners of war and other detainees, Annan said the continued detention of 1,300 others poses a "grave humanitarian problem" and renewed his call for the release of all prisoners without delay.

Annan also said he is worried over the fate of those sequestered in Tindouf (Polisario camps, located in southwestern Algeria) and invited the international community to contribute to meet the humanitarian needs of this population until they are allowed to return voluntarily and lastingly to their territory.