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Wednesday 26 April 2017

Sahara Issue : France Lauds 'Positive actions', Calls for 'Complete Withdrawal' from Guergarat

Vocal synthesis
Sahara Issue : France Lauds 'Positive actions', Calls for 'Complete Withdrawal' from Guergarat

France lauded on Tuesday the "positive dynamics" in the Sahara issue following recent "positive actions" and called for a "complete withdrawal" from the Guergarat region in order to advance the political process.

"We have seen a new momentum and positive dynamics, as well as positive actions that have been taken, and which will strengthen this new impetus," France’s ambassador to the United Nations, François Delattre told reporters shortly before the start of the UN Security Council's closed door consultations on the Minurso.

"There is still one question that must be resolved, namely that of Guergarat," the French diplomat underlined.

The French diplomat made it clear that the Polisario must withdraw from this region.

A "complete withdrawal" from the Guergarat region is needed to "close this chapter and advance the political process", he added, stressing the need to "settle this issue as soon as possible."

Delattre stressed the need to "re-launch the negotiating process", expressing his country's support for the efforts of the UN chief in this regard.

It should be noted that these consultations took place two days before the vote on the renewal of the mandate of the UN mission in the Sahara (Minurso), scheduled for April, 27th.

Delattre stressed the need to "renew the mandate of the mission during the vote scheduled for Thursday", calling on the fifteen members of the Security Council to adopt "a constructive approach so that we can go forward on this important issue."

MAP 26 April 2017