Washington encourages Morocco-Algeria direct talks on Sahara issue

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Joseph Burns, said in Rabat this Tuesday the US administration encourages Morocco and Algeria to engage in direct talks for a political settlement of the Sahara issue.

Speaking at a press conference, Burns who is visiting Morocco part of a tour that already took him to Algeria and Tunisia, said his country does not support imposing a solution on either of parties and urges Morocco and Algeria to conduct "direct talks" between them as well as engage positively in the efforts made by the UN secretary general and his personal envoy.

The US official who emphasized the stakes implied by the Sahara issue in achieving a real and lasting peace in the region and promoting prosperity for the future generations assured that the US will remain Morocco's close ally and partner.

The US Assistant secretary of state hailed modernization efforts in Morocco and king Mohammed VI's proposal to amend the family law (Moudawana) as announced by the sovereign at the opening of the fall session.

As for the FTA initiated by the two countries in April 2001, Burns said the two sides are on the right path to conclude an agreement before the end of the year.