Washington, March 23, 2016 -The United Nations confirmed Tuesday the closure of its military liaison office in Dakhla (occupied territories of Western Sahara) following Morocco's retaliation measures targeting the military staff of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
The three military observers based there were relocated Monday to the Aoussered team site (in western occupied territories), Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq announced in a press briefing.
The Military Liaison Office in Dakhla is the face-to-face counterpart to the Moroccan party to discuss all issues arising with regards to monitoring of the ceasefire and operations, such as MINURSO patrols, Haq said. The office also serves as a military evacuation point for MINURSO.
Following the closure of this office, the direct dialogue with the Moroccan army becomes more difficult, the UN official affirmed.
The UN Security Council, which met Monday in camera for the 3rd consecutive time to discuss implications of the measures announced by Morocco on the Minurso, abstained from releasing a statement on this issue. SPS