Liberation of detained in Tindouf is a priority for ICRC

The liberation of people detained in Tindouf, southwestern Algeria, "is a priority for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)," an ICRC official said.

These prisoners should have been liberated in September 1991 upon the proclamation of the ceasefire, ICRC's general delegate to the Middle-East and North Africa, Yves Arnoldy, told the Moroccan TV channel "2M" Friday.

"ICRC continuously and clearly expresses its position each time it has the opportunity to visit Tindouf camps," he said, adding "there is an urgent need to release these detainees and guarantee their return to their families in Morocco, he went on.

Arnoldy noted that ICRC particularly hopes that the organization's speech be met with utter comprehension and respect especially since this issue "dates back to more than 20 years."