The Kingdom of Morocco and the Russian Federation reiterated on Thursday the need "for all parties" to the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara to respect the ceasefire and remain fully engaged in the political process, said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad.

The successful securing of the El Guerguarat crossing has led to a "new diplomatic and political reality," Head of Government, Saad Dine El Otmani, said on Thursday in Rabat.

Former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki has underlined that the Algerian regime "is taking hostage" the populations held in Tindouf "for a fallacious political choice", deeming it wise to see them join their homeland, Morocco, instead of believing in erroneous perceptions.

Several MEPs and eminent European politicians have called on the High Representative Joseph Borell to support Morocco in its efforts to secure free movement of goods and people through the demilitarized zone of El Guerguarat.

The Lausanne-based International Network of Arab and African Journalists (RIJAA) hailed Morocco’s peaceful action to secure the passage through El Guerguarat and restore free movement in the area.