Speaking at the House of Advisors' (Upper chamber) question time, Mr. Fassi Fihri said that resolution 1813 consolidates the Council's support to Morocco's stance and makes of its proposal to grant autonomy to its southern provinces (the Sahara) "a realistic basis for a final, lasting and acceptable settlement of this regional conflict."

In a bid to put an end to the 32-old Sahara dispute, Morocco proposed in April 2007 autonomy to this former Spanish colony that was ceded to the kingdom, under the 1975 Madrid Accords. 

Morocco and the Polisario have so far held four rounds of UN-led talks (June 18-19, August 10-11, January 7-9 and March 16-18). A fifth round is expected, but no date has been set so far.

The UNSC had adopted unanimously, last week, resolution 1813 over the Sahara endorsing the call for realism and a spirit of compromise launched by the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for the Sahara.

The resolution, added the minister, is "clear and does not require deep interpretations or false readings", stressing that all parties are called to commit themselves, without hesitation, to respect these provisions to move forward towards the solution of autonomy, the only possible solution, according to Mr. Fihri, that would pave the way for a historic take-off of the Maghreb region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania).

The UNSC resolution, which also extends, by one year, the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Sahara (MINURSO), is a clear signal to give a chance to the parties to engage in serious negotiation, he added. 

The minister reiterated Morocco’s consideration and gratitude for the "constructive and encouraging" statements and positions of influential countries, which, he said, show the accuracy and realism of the Moroccan initiative.

In reaction to the UNSC resolution, the United States underlined that the establishment of an "independent Sahrawi state is not a realistic option ". 

Morocco’s proposal was also praised by France’s representative in the U.N. Jean-Maurice Ripert, who said the “autonomy plan is a basis for serious and constructive negotiations to reach a negotiated solution between the parties, in respect of the principle of self-determination.”