Iraq welcomes UN Security Council Vote backing Morocco’s Western Sahara self-governance plan

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s vote in favor of a resolution supporting Morocco’s plan for self-governance in Western Sahara.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq expresses its welcome for the United Nations Security Council’s vote in favor of the resolution supporting the plan for self-governance in the Western Sahara, submitted by the Kingdom of Morocco,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Security Council on Oct. 31 adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution backing the Western Sahara autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, passing with 11 votes in favour while Russia, China and Pakistan abstained and Algeria did not vote. The resolution renews the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara and calls for talks “without delay” using the Moroccan proposal as the basis for negotiations.

Full statement from Iraqi Foreign Ministry:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq expresses its welcome for the United Nations Security Council’s vote in favor of the resolution supporting the plan for self-governance in the Western Sahara, submitted by the Kingdom of Morocco. The ministry also commends the diplomatic efforts that helped shape the understandings leading to the adoption of the resolution, which reaffirmed support for the political process based on this initiative as a realistic and constructive framework that can contribute to a peaceful and lasting settlement of the dispute.

The ministry affirms its support for the United Nations’ efforts to reach a realistic, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution that ends this dispute in accordance with international legitimacy and ensures security and stability in the region while promoting constructive regional cooperation among all parties.