Morocco said Tuesday, before the Human Rights Council, that autonomy initiative responds to the interests and expectations of the Moroccan Sahara populations, as serious and credible solution to this regional dispute supported by the international community.

The UNSC, which convened on Thursday in New York to examine the Moroccan Sahara issue on the basis of statements made by UNSG Ban Ki-Moon, showed responsibility and balance, said Nasser Bourita, Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs.

The autonomy plan in the Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty is “serious, credible and realistic,” reiterated the ambassador of the United States in Rabat, Dwight L. Bush, in an exclusive interview on Saturday with Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).

The autonomy plan in the Sahara by Morocco introduced in 2007 constitutes "a serious and credible basis" for a negotiated solution to the conflict over the Sahara, claimed French deputies during a visit Monday to the headquarters of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco (CGEM) in Casablanca.

Morocco on Tuesday decided a significant reduction of the civilian component of MINURSO, the cancellation of the voluntary contribution granted by Morocco to the functioning of MINURSO and the review of the withdrawal terms of Moroccan troops engaged in peacekeeping operations, following the verbal blunders of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the Sahara issue.