"We have noted with great pride the massive participation of the inhabitants of our southern provinces in recent elections. This is an additional democratic proof of the  Sahara inhabitants attachement to the territorial integrity and political system of their country," the monarch said in a speech at the opening of the first session of the 5th Legislative year of the 9th legislature.

For His Majesty the King, the massive participation of the southern provinces in these elections also reflected "their commitment to effective inclusion in national institutions."

The Sovereign said in this regard that the popular and democratic legitimacy gained by the elected officials, freely chosen, makes them true representatives of the Moroccan Sahara populations, in contrast to a minority that resides off- homeland and tries without any legal basis to proclaim itself representative of these populations.

- News and on Western Sahara issue / Corcas -