Algiers, May 15, 2017 (SPS) -The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Sunday reiterated the willingness of the new United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to reopen negotiations between the Polisario Front and Morocco to settle the conflict the occupied Western Sahara.
"We discussed an important issue. I seized this opportunity to reiterate the strong willingness of the UN Secretary General (Guterres) to relaunch efforts for political negotiations following the adoption by the Security Council of a recent resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso)," Lacroix stated after his meeting with Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra, in which participated the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Mali and Chief of the Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) Mahamat Saleh Annadif.
Lacroix, who highlighted the efforts made since the appointment of the new UN SG "to pave the way" to political action in accordance with the resolution of the UN Security Council. Lacroix explained that this "is a painstaking and gradual work that goes through many issues, particularly the resumption of Minurso's full role, which is now gained, and then the situation in Guereguerat, with a view to lifting obstacles to the work of the UN SG to reopen negotiations."
"I reiterate once against the UN SG's willingness to pursue efforts and advance in accordance with the Security Council's guidelines to conduct a political work", stressed the UN official. (SPS)
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