The United States attaches "paramount importance" to the settlement of the Sahara issue that opposes Morocco to the Polisario separatists, said chairman of the Royal Advisory Council for Sahrawi Affairs.

 Khalihenna Ould Errachid, who held a meeting, here Wednesday with the US ambassador in Rabat, Thomas Riley, said discussions revolved mainly around the missions conferred to the Council, known as CORCAS, adding: "we appreciate the full understanding of the American ambassador, who promised to help us accomplish our missions."

Morocco's proposal of autonomy to settle the dispute that dates back to the mid seventies was front and center in the discussions, he said. The US diplomacy wanted to be informed of the matter directly, he added.

Riley described the meeting as a "very frank, very interesting and very friendly."

He said this first meeting "will not be the last," voicing hope to keep a close contact with CORCAS.