ALGIERS- The support of France to Morocco’s so-called autonomy plan for Western Sahara is “a flagrant violation to the international legality” and will “undermine” UN’s efforts for the holding of a self-determination referendum, Spanish and British associations supporting the Sahrawi people said on Sunday.

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The president of the Spanish movement in solidarity with the Sahrawi people, Carmelo Ramirez, said that France support to Morocco’s so-called autonomy plan for Western Sahara is “a flagrant violation to the international legality” and is a violation of the legitimate rights of the Sahrawi people to independence and freedom internationally recognized since 1973.

Ramirez noted that “since 1970, France has been supporting Morocco politically and militarily, helping it in strengthening its occupation in Western Sahara.”

The president of SandBlast, the British association for the defence of Sahrawi people's rights, Danielle Smith, condemned France's support of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, saying that this decision will “undermine” UN’s efforts for the organisation of a self-determination referendum.[/ecr]