La Nouvelle Tribune: China supports negotiated political settlement of Sahara issue

China supports efforts to reach a political solution to the Sahara issue, and dialogue between involved parties, said Chinese ambassador to Rabat, Cheng Tao.

In an interview published Friday by "La Nouvelle Tribune" weekly, the diplomat said "We do not agree with those who say a solution should be imposed on Morocco, adding "dialogue must be favored."

China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Morocco is calling for direct talks with Algeria on the Sahara issue, a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco under the Madrid tripartite accords signed with Mauritania and Spain. Algeria is politically and militarily backing the Polisario separatists who claim the independence of the southern province, but rejects any dialogue with Morocco on the issue.