MINURSO is continuing to scale back its personnel. After deciding in April not to renew certain contracts, the UN mission is now preparing to «close three observation points», a well-informed Moroccan source told Yabiladi. «These include two peacekeeper observation sites located east of the Berm, in an area the Polisario describes as 'liberated territories.' The closure will also affect an observation post in the Sahara under the control of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR)», the source specified. It is worth noting that last August, a U.S. delegation composed of senior State Department officials responsible for UN peacekeeping operations visited Laayoune. They reportedly advised MINURSO chief Alexander Ivanko to downsize the mission's staff. The UN Security Council is scheduled to review the Sahara issue in the coming weeks. Alexander Ivanko is expected to brief the fifteen members on the situation on the ground, ahead of the adoption of a new resolution in October extending MINURSO's mandate for another year.
