France reaffirms its position in the Sahara issue is unchanged

French premier, Jean-Pierre Rafarrin, who is paying this July 24-25 an official visit to Morocco, reaffirmed that France's position in the Sahara issue is clear and unchanged and that it is very close to Morocco's stance.

France announced last week its refusal of any decision that is not acceptable by all parties to the conflict and that it backs Morocco's stand.

Raffarin said at the end of an audience with king Mohammed VI Friday in Tetuan (northern Morocco) that he discussed this issue with the Moroccan sovereign as well as with his peer, Driss jettou, and hoped consultations over the issue in the United Nations Security Council won't reach a deadlock.

For his part, Morocco's premier, Driss Jettou reiterated Morocco's position "that did not and would not change," and deemed it necessary to "further involve populations of southern provinces in managing the region's affairs under Morocco's sovereignty and within respect of its territorial integrity."

Morocco had officially notified to the United Nations secretary general its refusal of the latest plan proposed by Baker and said it remains ready to start dialogue to reach a fair and realistic settlement to the issue.

About Moroccan-Algerian relations, Jettou said France has always played a "positive role" in this issue and has encouraged the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) that is mustering Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. He added that Morocco is seeking to bring Morocco-Algeria relations back to normal.