Algeria calls for direct talks between Morocco, Polisario Front

NEW YORK (AA) - Algeria called Monday for launching direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front, an Algeria-backed movement which for decades has called for regional independence in Western Sahara.

In his speech addressing the General Debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said his country "supports the decision of the African Peace and Security Council to launch direct negotiations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the [Polisario's] Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, since the two countries share membership of the African Union."

“We call upon the United Nations to assume their legal responsibilities towards the Sahrawi people and guarantee inalienable rights with the organization of a free and fair referendum in order to enable this courageous people to determine their future,” Lamamra said in his speech, which mostly focused on the decades-long conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front.

“Their political future cannot forever be taken hostage by the intransigence of an occupying state which has failed several times with regard to its international obligations," the top Algerian diplomat added, referring to Morocco.

Last week, Algeria announced that it had closed its airspace to all Moroccan aircraft. The move came after Algeria decided to sever relations with its neighbor Morocco on Aug. 24, accusing Rabat of having "hostile tendencies."

Ties between the two nations have been tense for decades against the backdrop of the disputed Sahara region between Rabat and the Polisario Front.

Since 1975, there has been a conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front regarding the territory of the Sahara, which began after the Spanish occupation in the region ended.

It turned into an armed confrontation that lasted until 1991, when a cease-fire was reached under UN auspices.

Rabat insists that it is entitled to the Sahara region and proposes expanded autonomy under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front has called for a referendum to determine the region's fate, a proposal supported by Algeria, which is hosting refugees from the region.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara