The informal talks on the Sahara, which ended on Tuesday evening, were marked by an "atmosphere of engagement, frankness and mutual respect," said Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara, Christopher Ross.

France on Monday expressed its support to the approach of the new UNSG Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Christopher Ross, which consists of bringing together the parties to the Sahara issue for informal talks in Austria.

Morocco will participate, at the invitation of UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross, in a restricted informal meeting on August 9-11 in Austria, in preparation for the fifth round of negotiations on the Sahara, according to a statement by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry made on Saturday.

 A delegation of the American congress staffers has arrived on Wednesday to Dakhla and  held    two meeting with both the chairmen of the elected councils, and the civil society activists, within the framework of a three day visit to Dakhla.

The autonomous Sicilian government reaffirmed its support to the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco to settle the Sahara issue.