Moscow, April 14, 2016 (SPS) -The Saharawi Coordinator with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Mr. Mohamed Khaddad, was received yesterday in Moscow by Mr. Mijail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the President for Middle East and African countries, accompanied by several officials of his ministry.
During this meeting, the Saharawi diplomat briefed to his interlocutors on the latest developments on the conflict in Western Sahara, in light of the lack of progress in the implementation of the UN-AU peace plan and the current crisis between the United Nations and Morocco.
The meeting also focused on the risks of continued passivity of the Security Council with the challenging behavior of Morocco and its breach of the UN principles and resolutions that call for respect for the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination, emphasizing that this Moroccan behavior represents a negative precedent in international efforts to establish peace and damage to the credibility of the Security Council.
Mr. Haddad expressed "his hope that Russia plays a positive role in the recovery of the peace process and immediate commitment with the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly of the UN on Western Sahara".
For his part, Mr. Bogdanov said that " he understands the circumstances and possible risks, reaffirming the firm position of the Russian Federation in accordance with international law and the search for a just and lasting solution to the conflict in the Sahara Western".
Bogdanov also emphasizes that "Russia follows with interest the ongoing discussions on the report of the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, and the resolution that the Security Council intends to take later this month." (SPS)
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