UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon said participants in the third round of Manhasset negotiations on the Sahara (January 7-9) concurred on the need for "a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations."

Deputy chairman of the European Parliament budget committee, Ralf Walter, called on the European Commission (EC) to publish the investigation report of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on Polisario's embezzlement of humanitarian aid in Tindouf camps, southwest Algeria.

Morocco proved good will during the recent negotiations on the Sahara dispute with Algerian-backed separatist movement "Polisario" in Manhasset (outskirts of New York), unlike the "negative, fixed, and sterile attitude of the other party," minister of Communication and Government spokesperson, Khalid Naciri, said on Thursday.
 

Jordan has reiterated its support its support to the Morocco’s territorial integrity autonomy initiative proposed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI for a final political settlement of the Sahara issue.  

The United States voiced hope that the Algerian-backed separatist movement, Polisario, will engage in discussions on the basis of the Moroccan proposal to grant substantial autonomy to the former Spanish colony, the Sahara, describing it as a realistic starting point likely to lead to a solution to this conflict.