Moroccan Autonomy Plan, Option to Solve Sahara Issue, US Deputy Secretary of State

Rabat - The autonomy plan proposed by Morocco is an option to solve the Sahara issue, said, Friday in Rabat, United States Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan who is on a visit to the Kingdom as part of a regional tour.

"Our policy in this regard did not change. We consider that the Moroccan project of autonomy in the Sahara is one of the potential options to remedy the situation," said the US official at a press briefing after his talks with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The Deputy Secretary of State said that the autonomy plan presented by Morocco is "a serious, realistic and credible" plan that could meet the expectations of the people of the Sahara". He noted that the United States will continue supporting Morocco's efforts to find a solution to the conflict under the auspices of the United Nations.

Sullivan added that "the most important thing is that our dialogue with the Moroccan government on the autonomy plan, which is serious credible and realistic, will continue". "Our cooperation is ongoing and will continue tomorrow," he said. He also said that his country supports the UN-led diplomatic process and its efforts to achieve a lasting, political and mutually acceptable solution to this conflict.