Al Sharq Al Awsat: The Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs was completed the day before yesterday in Rabat, in its first meeting since his creation by the Moroccan monarch, King Mohammed VI last March 25 in Laayoune, a major provincial city in the Moroccan Sahara. The meeting agenda focused on rules of procedure to be submitted to King Mohammed VI, and the election of nine Vice-Presidents, who make up the Council’s bureau.

Members of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs elected on Thursday evening, April 6, 2006 in Rabat, the nine Vice-Presidents who form the Office of the Council: Khaddad Moussaoui, Hassan Darham, Abdelaziz Aba, Omar Bouida, Hasna-Cherif, Brika Zeroual, Kalthoum Khayat, Ali Salem Al Kachaf and Othman Ila.

Works of the first meeting of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs closed on Thursday evening, April 6, 2006 in Rabat. In a statement to the press following the conclusion of works of this meeting the head of the Council, Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid, said that the setting up by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the council new members during the historic visit by His Majesty to the southern region "has deleted any justification for separation."

 Here follows full text and video of the declaration made by corcas chairman at the end of the first opening session

The chairman of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid made an opening speech during the council's first session in which he tackled the last developments in the Sahara.