Morocco say it remains committed to Western Sahara ceasefire as peacekeeping mission ends

Morocco says it remains committed to the ceasefire in Western Sahara, even in the absence of United Nations peacekeepers. Last week, the UN Security Council failed to agree on an extension of the 35-year-old mission, after the US and Russia each vetoed competing resolutions. Thank you. In a statement on Wednesday, Morocco's royal palace said the country's voluntary commitment to the ceasefire wouldn't change. King Mohammed VI ordered officials to protect Morocco's territorial integrity, national security, and residents. Mineral-rich Western Sahara is claimed by both Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front, backed by Algeria. Peacekeepers were deployed in 1988 to monitor a referendum that never took place. Rabat welcomed the end of the UN mission, but Algeria expressed deep regret. The Polisario said it was concerned.