Morocco not expecting mediation of any party over Sahara issue, official

Morocco is not expecting the mediation of any party to help settle the Sahara issue, insisted Thursday, Moroccan Communication Minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdellah.

"What we are requesting is that this issue be dealt with in a constructive and positive manner," within the United Nations, said Benabdellah, referring to the three-decade long Sahara dispute between Morocco and the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario" who are claiming the independence of the Moroccan Sahara.

Benabdellah said at a press briefing, at the end of the Cabinet meeting, Morocco has expressed readiness to cooperate with the UN to reach a final and comprehensive solution to this issue based on the "respect of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country."

He added that Morocco has underlined, in the latest memo submitted to the UN chief, that any solution to the Sahara dispute should care for Morocco's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Asked about what Morocco is "expecting from the Spanish government" to help solve this dispute, the Communication minister said any endeavor should be boosted by the UN and by the secretary General's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker.

In the same connection, Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said, on Thursday, in an interview with Spanish daily "ABC," Morocco accepts the plan of UN secretary general's personal envoy, James Baker, "but with red lines." He argued that "there are things that are not suitable for Morocco and that do not fit in its Constitution and system."

However, he said Morocco can grant "its population in the Southern provinces (Sahara) some competences that do not affect its sovereignty. This may be called autonomy- local or regional autonomy, but all this should be negotiated."