Morocco's autonomy proposal for its Southern provinces, the Sahara, is a "new platform for discussions", former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, David Welch said here Thursday.

The President of the Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH), Mr. Ahmed Herzenni, called on Monday in Geneva, the Polisario separatists to stop exploiting the humanitarian speech to serve political interests and dubious and suspicious ambitions.

Thousands of Moroccans living in Spain and Europe on Sunday took to the street in Granada to voice support for Morocco's initiative to grant autonomy to its southern provinces (the Sahara).