The Chairman of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid, said at the opening session of this meeting, that "by order of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is being held this meeting to discuss mobilization for the success of the Moroccan initiative to negotiate autonomy in the Sahara, on the eve of the UN Security Council discussion ".

The meeting was attended by Mr. Mohamed Benaissa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa and Maoulainai Ben Khalihenna the Secretary-General of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs.

In a statement issued after the emergency meeting, the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs reaffirmed " its absolute and unconditional support for the autonomy initiative in the Sahara, as a just, equitable and satisfactory solution to all parties."

The Council pointed out that this project is "responsive to the particularities and requirements of the Sahara inhabitants, in line with efforts by the United Nations, in conformity with the international standards and specifications for the various systems of self-government, as highest forms of self-determination of peoples in the world, while respecting the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State, as provided for in the Charter of the United Nations. "

The statement added that this initiative is an opportunity to the United Nations to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of everyone without winner or loser, as a political and final compromise, to ensure peace and security in the regional sphere as well as helping to build the Arab Maghreb Union, on" sound and solid foundations in accordance with the peoples aspirations, and thus avoid the scourge of balkanization and instability at the Arab and African levels. "

The Council stressed with "firm conviction sincere national spirit, that this initiative is the consolidation of the historical ties that have been linking ancient tribes in the Sahara with the Moroccan State, and the glorious Alawite Throne, and a renewal of the inextricable Allegiance link."

It also expressed the conviction that "the non-application of this option is only a deception that would root up inhumane situation, faced by people who are deprived of their right to return to the motherland, still living in the Tindouf camps."

The Council renewed its attachment on this occasion to the sanctity of the nation's basic principles of national unity and territorial integrity and full respect for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco from Tangier to Lagouira.

It also expressed " Permanent mobilization behind His Majesty King Mohammed VI to defend the unity and sovereignty of Morocco and attachment to the glorious Alawite throne saying putting forward with " pride and esteem" the full appreciation of the decision by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to involve all people in these areas to lay the foundations for the development of the initiative to grant autonomy to the Sahara region. This initiative will allow people from the region handle their own affairs politically, economically, socially and culturally, through elected institutions guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Council noted the positive feedbacks and welcome given to this historic serious and brave initiative at the international, national and local levels as the best way to resolve this long-standing dispute, stressing that "this initiative is the only viable option for application in the framework of international legitimacy to end this problem forever. "

This meeting falls within the framework of the tasks entrusted to the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, aimed to defend the territorial integrity and national unity of the Kingdom, according to the requirements of  the founding Dahir No. 681 .10  isued Safar 24, 1427, corresponding to March 25, 2006.

  Source: MAP