UN envoy for Western Sahara set to visit region next week

The top United Nations envoy guiding negotiations to end the conflict over Western Sahara is set to visit the region next week for talks with the parties involved, a United Nations spokesperson said today in New York.

James A. Baker III, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, is scheduled to visit Rabat, Algiers, Tindouf and Nouakchott for meetings with the Governments of Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania and the leadership of the Frente POLISARIO, spokesperson Hua Jiang said.

During his mission, Mr. Baker will present and explain to the parties and neighbouring countries a proposal for a political solution of the conflict, which provides for self-determination as requested by a Security Council resolution adopted last July.