France Backs Morocco’s Autonomy Plan to End Long-Standing Sahara Conflict

In response to the U.S. decision to recognize Morocco’s full sovereignty over the Sahara, the Quai d’Orsay stated on Friday that it is time for the conflict in the Sahara to end and that it is willing to help find a "just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council".

The spokeswoman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs specified that not resolving the conflict in time "poses a permanent risk of tensions, as was recently the case in El Guerguarat". In this perspective, "France considers the Moroccan autonomy plan as a basis for serious and credible discussions", reports the MAP.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, France welcomed "the reminder by the Moroccan authorities of their support for the two-state solution living side by side in peace and security" and stressed "the importance of negotiations between the parties to achieve a lasting peace".