DR ‹ › The United States on Wednesday reaffirmed its recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and reiterated its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as «the only basis for a just and lasting solution» to the dispute. «The United States recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara», said Christopher Landau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, during a press conference following his meeting in Rabat with Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad. Landau also reiterated Washington's continued support for Morocco's autonomy proposal, describing it as «serious, credible, and realistic», and as «the only basis for a just and lasting solution» to the territorial dispute. He further emphasized U.S. support for American companies seeking to invest and do business in the Sahara. Finally, the U.S. official noted that Washington is actively working with the United Nations and all parties, within the framework of the latest UN Security Council resolution, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, to reach a resolution to «this conflict, which has persisted for an unacceptably long time», adding that «the solution cannot be postponed indefinitely». Before landing in Morocco, Landau visited Algeria, where he held talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
