Morocco's decision came in reaction to the entry of about 1,400 people, including foreigners supervised by the polisario separatists, into the buffer zone in the Sahara, in blatant violation of the UN-sponsored military agreements.

    This operation was directly led from Algeria into the Moroccan area of Mahbes, the minister told MAP. This group of more than 1,400 people was surrounded by armed security agents, who fired several shots, he added.

    This is a serious act that Morocco rejects with all its might, the Minister said. The parties who have planned this act are taking a great responsibility at a time when all the efforts and good will must come together to continue the negotiation process in accordance with the Resolution 1813 of the UN Security Council, Fassi Fihri added.

    "About 1,400 people, including foreigners supervised by military elements of the polisario, in possession of individual weapons and mine detection equipment, entered, today April 10th, 2009, the buffer zone, east of the berm, on board 90 jeeps, 10 lorries, and other vehicles and bicycles," the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

    "Several shots were fired and barbed wire lifted in blatant violation of the UN-sponsored military agreements, the respect of which is monitored by the UN mission for the Sahara," the statement added.