France leads a maneuver to slow down US draft decision on Western Sahara

The International Security Council postponed voting on a US draft decision on Western Sahara to Friday or Saturday, according to media sources.

The UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said no agreement was reached about the decision draft. Because of that, voting was postponed to Friday or Saturday.

The UN initiative supported by the UK and Russia faces hindrances from France and Morocco.

New changes were made on Wednesday to the draft decision. It calls for the immediate return of the MINURSO to its practical ability and the expansion of its mandate for a year until April 30th, 2017.

It also focuses on the necessity of continuing preparing for a fifth round of talks. It calls for continuing showing a political will and readiness for dialogue.

The Polisario Front’s representative Ahmed Boukhari said “France carries out a hostile action to paralyze the US initiative. It is totally responsible for a possible war in Western Sahara. It blindly supports Morocco’s policy in the occupied lands.”

According to diplomatic sources, France tries to make changes to the US proposition.