Russian diplomacy is preparing for the October deadline in the Security Council on the Sahara issue. On Wednesday, 4 September, the Chargé d'Affaires at the Moscow Embassy in Rabat, Maksim Ganzei, met in the capital with the Commander of MINURSO Peacekeepers, Force Commander Zia Ur Rehman. On this occasion, «the two sides exchanged views on the current situation in Western Sahara. M. Z. Ur-Rehman appreciated the professionalism of Russian officers» who work for the UN mission, the chancellery said in a statement published yesterday on its Facebook page. For its part, «Maksim Ganzei reiterated the unchanged Russian position on the settlement of the Western Sahara problem and confirmed Russia's support for MINURSO's activities», the same source said: Last April, and a few days before the adoption by the Fifteen of a new resolution on the Sahara, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Rabat went to Laayoune where he had talks with the head of MINURSO Colin Stewart and Pakistani General Zia Ur Rehman. During this month, Russia holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council. While Moscow has not scheduled any meetings on the Sahara, it has scheduled a meeting on 9 September to discuss United Nations peacekeeping operations.
