Briefing by the Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General concerning Morocco's allegations against the Frente POLISARIO concerning the ceasefire agreement

Question: Stéphane, I asked yesterday about this letter from the Moroccan Permanent Representative, and I saw the letter. It contains some alleged violations by Polisario in the Guerguerat area. Can MINURSO [United Nations Mission in Western Sahara] or the UN confirm those violations? And I have a question also whether you have any comment on the start of the [United States] troops’ withdrawal from Syria. Thank you.

Spokesman: No, I don't have a particular comment on that. On Western Sahara, as you've seen the letter, I can confirm that we've received the letter from Morocco alleging violations of the ceasefire and related agreements in Western Sahara. As you know, there is an established procedure for assessing such allegations by either party undertaken by the UN Mission on the ground, based on the impartial monitoring and observation functions of our colleagues in Western Sahara. The UN Mission, MINURSO, was present at both of these alleged incidents and did not observe anything amounting to a violation under the terms of the applicable agreements. Incidents or issues which are identified as being violations of the applicable agreements are shared with the parties for their immediate action, a process which has been effective in preventing conflict and maintaining the ceasefire since its inception. Such violations are also reported to the Security Council as part of the Mission's normal reporting procedures. Let's go to a different place in the world