WASHINGTON-The United Nations Security Council will hold Thursday an urgent meeting following Morocco's decision to stop its financial contribution to the United Nations Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso), a source close to the issue told APS Thursday.
The Security Council will meet at the request of the United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-moon to assess impact of this decision on Minurso.
The Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman will hold a briefing on this issue at the Security Council to inform it about the evaluation of the situation on the ground following the Moroccan government's decision to significantly reduce the civil component of the Minurso, particularly the political wing, and immediately stop its financial contribution to its mission.
Morocco's Foreign Minister said in a communiqué that he will withdraw contingents engaged in peacekeeping operation under the aegis of the UN.
"Minurso's mandate has been granted by the Security Council," he stressed, adding that "the Minurso will not be withdrawn" from the Sahrawi occupied territories.