(MENAFN- Morocco World News) The official news agency for the Polisario Front reported on Monday that the leadership of the separatist organization's militia has raised its level of combat readiness to the 'first' or highest grade.
The source added that a meeting between the leaders of the armed wing of the organization has examined the regional political situation in the light of recent developments that have led the Moroccan authorities to expel the political and administrative component of MINURSO. “[During the meeting they] decided to initiate all-round combat exercises in March and April in order to raise the level of preparedness of the Sahrawi fighter when facing all possible situations' the news agency said. '[The militia will also] conduct maneuvers in the southern sector and hold a forum on military frameworks.” Through the militia's leadership the Front invited all its fighters to join the separatist formations in light of what it called “the seriousness of the situation' which 'requires caution.” Last week Morocco ordered 84 members of MINURSO's personnel to leave the country within three days in response to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's recent comments which called the Sahara 'occupied.' According to Farhan Haq deputy spokesperson for the U.N. 11 of the people specified no longer worked with the mission. Of the remaining 73 people 72 people have left and one person remains in the kingdom due to medical concerns. Haq also warned that the lack of an effective peacekeeping force in the region could lead to heightened tensions and 'conflict' between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario.
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