Blinken reiterates US support for Morocco's autonomy plan

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Monday in Washington his country's support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan to settle the Sahara issue, stressing that the United States continues to view this plan "as serious, credible, and realistic".

"The Secretary noted the United States continues to view Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as serious, credible, and realistic," said the US State Department spokesperson in a release following talks between the State Secretary and the minister of Foreign affairs, African cooperation and Moroccans living abroad, Nasser Bourita.

During their talks, the Secretary of State and the minister of Foreign affairs, African cooperation and Moroccans living abroad voiced "their full support for United Nations Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura in advancing an enduring and dignified political solution" to this regional conflict, the release added.

Blinken also voiced his country's "appreciation" for King Mohammed VI’s "leadership and long-standing contribution to promoting stability and regional peace", including in the Middle East, while commending the Kingdom's "stabilizing role" in the region and Africa.

"The Secretary expressed his appreciation for HM King Mohammed VI’s leadership and long-standing contribution to promoting stability and regional peace, including his efforts to promote a secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians", said the US State Department spokesperson.

“The two officials discussed efforts to advance regional peace and security, reflecting Morocco’s stabilizing role on a range of challenges in the Middle East and Africa,” he said.

"They discussed shared concerns over continuing violence in Israel and the West Bank and ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions," he added.

Bourita's visit to Washington, marked by meetings with senior American officials both at the State Department and at the White House, is an opportunity to discuss the means aimed at further consolidating the Moroccan-US strategic partnership as well as international and regional issues of common interest.