US Renews Support of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan in the Sahara

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)
US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)
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US Renews Support of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan in the Sahara

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)
US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)

The US renewed its position on the Sahara issue and supported Morocco’s autonomy plan,

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington considers “Morocco’s autonomy plan” was “serious, credible, and realistic, and one potential approach to meet the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara.”

During a press briefing in Washington, the spokesman asserted that Washington “fully supports the UN personal envoy of the secretary-general as he intensifies the UN-led political process on Western Sahara to advance an enduring and dignified solution without further delay.”

Observers said the State Department statement consolidates Washington’s firm position, contributing to the historic 2020 recognition of Morocco’s complete sovereignty over its entire territory, including the Sahara.

In response to a question about the recent visit by US Ambassador to Algeria Elizabeth Aubin to Tindouf, Miller explained that it falls within the framework of a UN-organized visit to the region, which brought together a broad range of international donors.

He stressed that the United States is the most significant contributor worldwide to international humanitarian efforts, including through its support for the vital work of UN agencies in Tindouf.

He stressed that there was “no bilateral engagement with the Polisario during this UN donor visit.”

The official Moroccan News Agency stated that the unequivocal US statement refutes allegations promoted by some media, which reported alleged meetings between the ambassador and leaders of the separatist Polisario Front.



Iranian Officials: Quds Force Chief Out of Contact since Beirut Strikes

FILE PHOTO:  Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, speaks during a ceremony, in Tehran, Iran April 14, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, speaks during a ceremony, in Tehran, Iran April 14, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
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Iranian Officials: Quds Force Chief Out of Contact since Beirut Strikes

FILE PHOTO:  Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, speaks during a ceremony, in Tehran, Iran April 14, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, speaks during a ceremony, in Tehran, Iran April 14, 2022. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Iran's Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, who travelled to Lebanon after the killing last month of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike, has not been heard from since strikes on Beirut late last week, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters.

One of the officials said Qaani was in Beirut's southern suburbs, known as the Dahiyeh, during a strike on Thursday that was reported to have targeted senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine but the official said he was not meeting Safieddine.

The official said Iran and Hezbollah had not been able to contact Qaani since then.

Israel has been hitting multiple targets in Dahiyeh as it pursues a campaign against Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.

The second official also said Qaani had travelled to Lebanon after the killing of Nasrallah and the Iranian authorities had not been able to contact him since the strike against Safieddine, who was widely expected to be the next Hezbollah chief.

Hezbollah has made no comment so far on Safieddine.
The Quds Force, the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, oversees dealings with militias allied with Tehran across the Middle East, such as Hezbollah.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan was killed with Nasrallah in his bunker when it was hit on Sept. 27 by Israeli bombs.