Any solution to sahara issue should heed Morocco's territorial unity, party

Any solution to the question of Moroccan southern provinces should necessarily "respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Morocco, the Moroccan Istiqlal party (PI- in government) said.

In a release published in "Al Alam" newspaper, PI said a solution can be reached by giving the local population prerogatives through the implementation of "the regionalization system."

PI made this statement in the wake of Morocco's notification to the UN that it will not accept any solution providing for the separation of Moroccan southern provinces, former Spanish colonies. An Algeria-backed secessionist group "Polisario" is claiming the separation of these territories.

PI highlighted the need for constant mobilization behind king Mohammed VI to defend the territorial unity of the kingdom, insisting that "the retrieval of southern provinces is irreversible." These provinces, formerly occupied by Spain were retrieved in 1975 under Madrid agreement.

The party paid tribute to the efforts of king Mohammed VI in the defence of Morocco's unity. It said, nevertheless, it is crucial to strengthen diplomatic vigilance to foil all manoeuvres against Morocco's territorial integrity and urged "our brothers in Algeria to set free the populations sequestered and the Moroccan prisoners of war in Tindouf camps (southern Algeria)."

PI also called on Algeria to stop standing on the way of Morocco's inalienable right, and honor its commitments part of the neighborliness policy.