Polisario condemns visit by French ambassador to Laayoune

The Polisario Front has expressed its «strong condemnation and denunciation» of the visit by France's ambassador to Morocco, Philippe Lalliot, to the city of Laayoune, describing it as «a new provocative step and a continuation of the policy of aggression against the Sahrawi people».

In a statement, the front claimed that the visit would «undermine United Nations efforts to advance the peace process toward a just and lasting solution to the Sahara issue», while reiterating its rejection of France's support for Morocco's position on the Sahara dossier.

The Polisario also renewed its accusation that France has provided Morocco with «political, diplomatic and military» support since the start of the conflict, arguing that this is incompatible with Paris's responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and with the principles of the UN Charter. The front further held France partly responsible for the continuation of the conflict and what it described as its repercussions for regional security and stability.

Last Wednesday, French Ambassador to Morocco Philippe Lalliot inaugurated the new headquarters of the French Alliance in Laayoune during his first visit to the southern provinces since taking office. During the visit, he also met with the president of the Laayoune Communal Council, the president of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Regional Council, and the region's wali.