Rabat – French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian has allegedly warned his Algerian counterpart that France would not oppose Morocco’s military intervention against Polisario’s illegal maneuvers east of Morocco’s defense wall.
Moroccan newspaper Assabah reported that the Security Council could also give Morocco a green light for a limited military intervention against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which has been attempting to relocate parts of its facilities east Morocco’s defense wall.
Le Drian has also warned Algeria against any actions that would likely cause further escalation in the region, a diplomatic source told Assabah.
The unidentified source further said that Le Drian’s statement came before an official meeting between King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday at the Elysee Palace.
“If the Polisario does not withdraw from the buffer zone, as provided by the ceasefire agreement, Morocco has the right to respond with firmness,” Le Drian told Messahel.
According to the same source, Messahel failed to influence France position on the situation in the region as a result of Polisario’s attempts to change the status quo.
According to the same source, Messahel reportedly held a meeting with the staff of Algeria’s army to inform them of France’s position and its support for Morocco’s military intervention.
In an interview given to French TV channel France 24 on Tuesday, Messahel reiterated Algeria’s support for the separatist group, claiming that the Western Sahara conflict is an issue that should be solved between Morocco and Polisario. He added that Algeria should not cooperate in finding a solution to the decades-long conflict.
On April 4, King Mohammed VI addressed a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, calling on Algeria to fully shoulder its responsibility in the search for a solution to the regional conflict.
When asked about his opinion regarding the King’s letter during an interview given to French TV channel France 24, Messahel said that Morocco “claims” that the Western Sahara conflict is “a matter between Algeria and Morocco, whereas it is not the case. It is a case between Morocco and the Sahrawi people, and between Morocco and the decisions of the United Nations.”
