London - Former US ambassador to Morocco, Edward Gabriel, commended the adoption by the US congress of the 2014 appropriation bill laying provisions, for the first time, for funds to finance development projects in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
The US diplomat told e-paper "Middle East Online" that he is glad about the shared stance of the American congress and executive concerning the Sahara issue and the support for Morocco, a strategic ally and partner of the USA, in a region that is witnessing social and political mutations.
In an article entitled "Obama and the Congress support Morocco over the Sahara issue", Gabriel affirmed that the bipartite support provided by the White House and US deputies to Morocco will contribute to solving the Sahara conflict.
He added that this support comes following the summit meeting last November in Washington between President Barack Obama and HM King Mohammed VI, during which the two leaders reiterated their attachment to improving the living conditions of the Sahara populations.
He underscored the unwavering position by Washington concerning the issue of territorial integrity and its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the southern provinces, which was described as "serious, credible and realistic."