Morocco is driven by 'sincere' will to settle Sahara issue, former polisario leader

    Ould Souilem recalled, during a meeting with Vice-President of the European Parliament, Isabelle Durant, that Morocco's proposal to grant autonomy to the southern provinces, the Sahara, received broad international support.

     He informed the European official of Morocco's concern over the "systematic" opposition of Algeria and the Polisario to any request of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to take a census of the population held against their will in the Tindouf camps (south-western Algeria).

    "We call on the European and international community to impose on the Algerian authorities and the Polisario a [real and transparent] census of the Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps,” Ould Souilem said.

    He also reviewed the various structural projects undertaken by Morocco, highlighting the dynamic growth witnessed by the southern provinces of the Kingdom.

    Ould Souilem, who is leading a large delegation composed of several MPs from the southern provinces, will hold talks, on February 2nd through 5th in Brussels, with several officials and MEPs from different political backgrounds.