Annan's special representative for Western Sahara starts tour of region

The Special Representative of Secretary-General Kofi Annan for Western Sahara, Alvaro de Soto, is in Rabat for talks with Moroccan officials as part of his first visit to the region, a UN spokesman said today.

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

Mr. de Soto is expected to meet subsequently with the leadership of the Frente POLISARIO in Rabouni, with Algerian officials in Algiers and with Mauritanian officials in Nouakchott, the spokesman added.