LOC02:08
23:08 GMT
NEW YORK, April 28 (KUNA) -- The UN Security Council decided Friday to extend the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another year.
The council adopted resolution 2351 reaffirming the need for full respect of the military agreements reached with MINURSO with regard to the ceasefire, and called on the parties to adhere fully to those agreements.
The resolution that extended the mandate until April 2018, recognizes that the recent crisis in the buffer strip in Guerguerat raises fundamental questions related to the ceasefire and related agreements. Therefore, the council encouraged the Secretary General to explore ways that such questions can be resolved.
The US drafted resolution, calls upon all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of MINURSO including its free interaction with all interlocutors, and to take the necessary steps to ensure the security of as well as unhindered movement and immediate access for the UN and associated personnel in carrying out their mandate, in conformity with existing agreements.
The resolution came after recognizing that achieving a political solution to this long-standing dispute and enhanced cooperation between the Member States of the Maghreb Arab Union would contribute to stability and security in the Sahel region.
Further, the council members called in their resolution upon the parties to resume negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary General without preconditions and in good faith. (end)
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