Speaking at the monthly press briefing, Blair voiced hope to see Morocco's efforts aiming to find an "appropriate agreement" on this issue crowned with success.

    Morocco presented, on Wednesday to the UN Secretary General, Ban ki-Moon, its proposal to grant substantial autonomy to its southern provinces, the Sahara. Dubbed "Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara Region", the Moroccan proposal aims to put an end to the three-decade old dispute opposing the kingdom to the Algerian-backed "Polisario" separatists, who claim the independence of this former Spanish colony, retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accord.

    The autonomy proposal, due to be discussed by the Security Council on April 20, integrates the international norms and standards in terms of autonomy and ensures respect of human rights, such as universally recognized.

    Touching on the recent blasts that rocked Casablanca, the premier voiced sympathy to the Moroccan people, underlining that “the events, which took place in Morocco and Algeria, stress the importance for all of us to remain united face to those who resort to terrorism to destroy the life of innocent people.”

   The Casablanca bombings claimed seven lives (six terrorists and a policeman) and injured 21 people including a child.

    In Algiers, 24 people died and over 220 others were injured in three car bomb operations that targeted official buildings.