France is to push the independence-seeking Polisario Front to release more than 1,500 Moroccan prisoners of war it is still holding despite a 1992 ceasefire, a French official said Saturday.
Some 1,685 prisoners are being held by the Polisario Front, an Algerian- backed movement, which wants independence for the former Spanish colony, annexed by Morocco in 1975.
Charles Cazenart, who is heading a delegation of French deputies from the Rally for the Republic (RPR) party, said: "This is a situation, which must end whatever the political considerations, and France will repeat that on all international fronts."
Cazenart said it was unacceptable the prisoners were still being held in spite of the ceasefire brokered by the United Nations nine years ago -- EL AYOUN, Western Sahara (AFP)
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