Morocco Cutting Support for UN Western Sahara Force

The Moroccan government is reducing its staff and support for the U.N. peacekeeping operation in the Western Sahara, to protest the U.N. secretary-general's recent comments about the disputed territory.

Morocco also threatened to withdraw its 2,300 troops from all U.N. peacekeeping operations.

The unusual move is the latest step in an escalating dispute between Morocco and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban recently visited Saharan refugee camps and referred to Morocco's "occupation'' of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that Morocco annexed in 1975. Morocco regarded the term as an insult.

Moroccans held a huge protest Sunday over the comments, organized by the country's leading political parties, labor unions and NGOs.

The next day, on the orders of Moroccan King Mohammed VI, Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar went to the U.N. to meet with Ban, asking him to "publicly clarify'' his position, the Foreign Ministry said.

Ban's spokesman said the U.N. chief considers the attacks "disrespectful to him and to the United Nations.'' He renewed a call for resumed peace negotiations........http://www.voanews.com/content/morocco-cutting-support-for-un-western-sahara-force/3240690.html
16/3/16
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Related:

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