US encourages Morocco, Algeria to jointly seek political solution to Sahara issue, Burns

US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, William Burns, said, in Algiers Thursday, Algeria encourages the leaders of Morocco and Algeria to work together with UN chief's personal envoy, James Baker, to jointly seek a political solution to the Sahara issue that serves the interests of all sides.

Burns, who subsequently flew to Morocco, added that US President George W. Bush "encourages" Moroccan and Algerian leaders to work together for a better cooperation and a broader understanding and for the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union