Sahara: Spain wants agreement between parties

Spain said it wishes the Sahara issue to be settled through a formula that enjoys the agreement of concerned parties.

Spain's premier, Jose Maria Aznar, said Wednesday on the first day of his visit to Algeria, "we have always wanted an entente, an agreement between parties. Such is our wish and Spain's traditional stance that is not changing."

Aznar also expressed his country's support for the UN secretary general's initiatives and efforts in the issue.

"I respect the secretary general's initiative and wish that all parties can conclude agreements that will receive our support," said Aznar whose country occupied Moroccan southern provinces until 1975 when Morocco liberated the territory, due to a tri-partite agreement with Spain and Mauritania.

The territory is now claimed by the Algeria-backed "Polisario" separatists.