France hails upcoming release of Moroccan POWs in Tindouf

France hailed Friday the upcoming release of Moroccan prisoners in Tindouf (southwestern Algeria) following a Libyan mediation with Algerian authorities.

It is a positive decision taken after the liberation of other prisoners at the beginning of September, spokesperson of the French foreign ministry said.

France called nevertheless for the immediate release of all Moroccan prisoners who are detained in Algeria by the Polisario separatist group.

"We will continue to endeavor with our European partners for the total and immediate liberation of Moroccan captives in conformity with the international humanitarian law," the spokesperson said.

Nearly a thousand Moroccans are still sequestered in the Algerian territory in spite of the UN mandated cease-fire proclaimed in 1991 between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario that claims the independence of the Moroccan southern provinces.

On Thursday, Libya's leader Colonel Mouammar Gaddafi of Libya informed king Mohammed VI that several Moroccan captives held in Algeria will be released after a Libyan meditation with Algeria.