France says a solution to the sahara conflict should enjoy consent of concerned parties

France said on Monday that a solution to the Sahara conflict "will only be possible with the consent of the concerned parties."

The French ministry of foreign affairs recalled that the Sahara question is currently being examined in the Security Council and that the term of MINURSO (french acronym of the UN mission in the Sahara) will expire in July 31.

France said last week it opposes any settlement to the Sahara issue that does not enjoy the consent of all the parties and that it strongly wishes that any settlement to the Sahara issue should be reached with the consent of concerned parties.

King Mohammed VI held phone talks on the issue with presidents Jacques Chirac of France and George Bush of the USA and British prime minister Toby Blair, three permanent countries of the Security Council, in addition to Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar, whose country is chairing the security council for the month of July.