Spain calls for consensual solution to Sahara issue

King Juan Carlos of Spain, whose country took over this month the UN Security council presidency, called on Tuesday for a "consensual and swift" solution to the Sahara conflict within the United Nations.

In a speech read out during an exchange of toasts with Mauritania president, Maaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, who arrived Tuesday in Spain, king Juan Carlos said the two countries hope there will be a fair and viable solution for all sides.

In the same connection, Spanish minister for external affairs, Ana Palacio, said in a press conference held with her Mauritanian peer, Ould Tolba, Spain will try to reach a consensus in the Sahara conflict during its chairmanship of the UN security council, so as to be constructive in its search for a solution for a "very complicated" dispute.

For his part, the head of the Mauritanian diplomacy said his country backs "constructive efforts for a final solution" to the issue.

The Sahara is a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords. An Algeria-backed secessionist group is claiming the independence of the southern Moroccan provinces.