Western Sahara: POLISARIO releases 300 Moroccan prisoners of war - UN

The POLISARIO Front in Western Sahara has announced the release of 300 Moroccan prisoners of war and said their repatriation will be handled by the International Committee of the Red Cross, a spokesman for the United Nations said today.

The prisoners were being held in Tindouf, Algeria, the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said at a press briefing in New York.

The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) issued a statement welcoming the announcement and hoping for the speedy release of all remaining POWs in compliance with international humanitarian law, he said.

A peace plan formulated by Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, James Baker, is being considered by all parties involved, including Morocco, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO Front), Algeria and Mauritania.