Secretary-General Relieved at End to Western Sahara Hunger-Strike Impasse

The following statement was issued yesterday by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is greatly relieved that Ms. Aminatou Haidar is now home in Laayoune, ending the impasse that led to her hunger strike of more than a month.  He is grateful for the efforts of all the parties involved in finding a solution to this situation.

The Secretary-General had urged repeatedly that humanitarian concerns prevail in this case and he appreciates the action Morocco has taken in this regard.  He expresses his hope that the parties will now work with his Personal Envoy, Mr. Christopher Ross, to resume negotiations in the near future towards a settlement of the Western Sahara issue.

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For information media • not an official record