Spain underlines need for 'urgent' solution to Sahara issue

Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, underlined in Madrid Thursday, the need for an "urgent" political solution to the Sahara issue and for reaching an accord within the framework of the United Nations.

The conflict over the Sahara opposes Morocco to the Polisario Front that lays claims to this former Spanish colony, retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under Madrid accords.

At a joint press conference held with visiting Moroccan Premier Driss Jettou, Zapatero said "it is urgent to find a political solution and an accord to the Sahara conflict within the framework of the UN."

Spain, he said, can, without being a substitute to the UN, contribute and facilitate resolving this problem that not only preoccupies Morocco and Spain but the whole public opinion."

On his part, Jettou said his country is "ready to negotiate with all parties" to reach a final and acceptable solution to the Sahara issue.

On a question about the Spanish delegation recently expelled from the Sahara, Jettou said Morocco is "a sovereign country," recalling that the kingdom has taken the initiative of inviting a delegation of Spanish parliamentarians to visit the southern provinces (the Sahara).

Moroccan authorities barred four Spanish delegations from entering the city of Laayoune, accusing them of interference in internal affairs and of being Pro-Polisario.

Jettou noted, however, that the international media was able to carry out their mission "freely."

In addition to the Sahara issue, the two prime ministers raised during talks they held earlier different aspects of bilateral cooperation and means to reinforce it.

The talks prepared for the meeting of the Moroccan-Spanish joint commission, due on September 29, in Spain.