The UN mission to the Sahara, MINURSO, adheres with the longstanding practice of holding meetings with the Polisario in Rabouni, Algeria, said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. The contacts of the MINURSO and its chief Colin Stewart with the Polisario are held outside of the Mission area, the spokesperson said. Earlier reports said that the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative had refused to meet Polisario members at Bir Lahlou, east of the security berm, as requested by the leaders of the front. He said that the MINURSO members were later allowed to continue their patrol and that Polisario leadership acknowledged the incident and apologized to the UN mission. Morocco had handed this part of the Moroccan Sahara to the UN for ceasefire monitoring purposes pending a lasting solution to the regional conflict.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 20, 2018 12:11 UTC