Negotiated solution to Sahara dispute will protect North Africa from terrorism, destabilization, King

Visiting King Mohammed VI of Morocco reiterated in Brasilia Friday Morocco's resolve to reach a negotiated political solution to the Sahara dispute that will "protect" the North African region of the Maghreb from "balkanisation and terrorism."

"The said solution, being both realistic and equitable, is likely to protect the region against the risks of balkanisation, terrorism and destabilization.," the monarch said during an Exchange of Toasts at a lunch hosted in his honour by President

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, on the first day of the monarch's visit to the South American country.

"My country has constantly shown its willingness to cooperate, in good faith, with all the parties concerned and with the United Nations in order to reach a final, negotiated political solution to the artificial dispute over the completion of my country's territorial integrity, a solution that allows the inhabitants of the Sahara to manage their regional affairs in a democratic way, and which respects Morocco's sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity." the King said.

"This is a vital question for Morocco which enjoys the unanimous support of the Moroccan people."

The Sahara dispute is opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatist movement that is seeking the separation of the Southern Moroccan provinces known as the Sahara from the rest of the Kingdom. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

The monarch called, on the other hand, the international community to play its role fully in the settlement of disputes which, he said, threaten world peace and security, especially with regard to the deteriorating situation in the Middle-East. He reiterated in this regard Morocco's call for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, which would put an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and to the tragedy of the Palestinian people, by guaranteeing the recovery of their legitimate rights.

"The same goes for Iraq, a country that should be able to live in peace and security, as a unified State enjoying full sovereignty."

King Mohammed VI arrived here, Thursday night, from Mexico, where he kicked off a five-nation South American tour that also includes Peru, Chile and Argentina.