MINURSO said has not observed military presence or equipment in the buffer stripe

The UN said today that it has detected no military presence in the buffer zone of the southwest of Western Sahara, where he sent teams to investigate the situation after Polisario Front denounced alleged violations of the ceasefire by Morocco.

UN mission for Western Sahara (MINURSO) deployed on 16 and 17 August land and air means to investigate allegations of violations, explained UN spokesman Farhan Haq.

« MINURSO observed no presence or military equipment in the separation zone », spokesman said, The Mission observed what were assessed as civilian vehicles moving across the berm but was not able to determine additional information.

MINURSO continues its liaison with both parties in order to ascertain the facts with regards to the alleged incident. MINURSO has been in touch with the Polisario [Front] to share the preliminary findings of its investigation.

Here is the statement of UN spokesman today :

– Question: On Western Sahara, you’d said two days ago that [inaudible]… whatever, the Mission was liaising with the two sides about this reported incursion. What’s the result of that liaising?

– Deputy Spokesman: Yeah, the Mission acronym you’re looking for is MINURSO. All the Mission acronyms are starting to blur into one, I know. Okay. On this, on 16 and 17 August, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, deployed ground and air capabilities to investigate allegations of violations in the southwestern part of Western Sahara near Mauritania. MINURSO has not observed military presence or equipment in the buffer strip. The Mission observed what were assessed as civilian vehicles moving across the berm but was not able to determine additional information. MINURSO continues its liaison with both parties in order to ascertain the facts with regards to the alleged incident. MINURSO has been in touch with the Polisario [Front] to share the preliminary findings of its investigation.