Algeria calls for an urgent Security Council meeting on the Sahara issue

At Algeria's request, the United Nations Security Council convened on Tuesday evening to discuss a draft resolution aimed at extending the mandate of MINURSO in Western Sahara for a few additional months, reports an American media outlet.

This marks the third meeting of the UN's executive body dedicated to this issue, following those on October 24 and 27. All these gatherings were held behind closed doors.

Algeria is seeking to introduce amendments to the text prepared by the United States, which, barring any changes to the schedule by the Russian presidency, is expected to be put to a vote on Thursday, October 30.

For several days, Algeria has been intensifying its diplomatic efforts to diminish the support of the Fifteen for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, described in the initial American version as the «only framework for negotiations» between the parties for a mutually acceptable solution.

Algeria wants the Security Council to keep the door open to the other option advocated by the Polisario: the referendum on self-determination.