The German parliament (Bundestag) turned down on Thursday a proposal from two major opposition parties calling for Germany’s support to a proposal to extend the mandate of the UN Sahara mission (MINURSO) to human rights issues.

Spain deems "unsustainable" the proposal by the United States to expand (MINURSO) mandate to include human rights monitoring, said Spanish newspaper "El Pais".

Upon instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, a meeting on the latest developments in the Sahara question was held Monday in the Royal Cabinet, attended by the Sovereign’s advisors, the head of the government, leaders of political parties, and several members of the government, a Royal Cabinet statement said.

King Mohammed VI received, Wednesday at the Royal Palace in Fez, Christopher Ross, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged an "urgent resolution" of the Sahara issue because of "the rise of instability and insecurity" in the Sahel region and called for opening borders between Morocco and Algeria in the interest of the region and the international community.