Morocco offers Algeria new talks in WSahara row

Morocco called Monday for fresh talks with its neighbor Algeria aimed at normalizing relations between the two states in their long-running dispute over Western Sahara.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri suggested -- in a statement given to officials from the Algerian embassy in Rabat -- holding a joint meeting of the two countries' foreign and interior ministries.

"Morocco calls, once again, for the reopening of the land border between our two countries, closed since 1994, and the resumption of bilateral cooperation," the statement added.

The disputed Western Sahara region is largely controlled by Morocco, but the Algerian-backed Polisario Front is fighting for full independence.

After 16 years of war, Morocco and the Polisario declared a ceasefire in 1991. Rabat repeatedly pushed back a promised referendum, however, and since 2002 it has insisted that such a plebiscite is not necessary.

Last week the U.N. called for Morocco and the Polisario to hold new U.N.-brokered talks for a "mutually acceptable" self-determination solution in Western Sahara.

"The Kingdom of Morocco reiterates its sincere commitment towards normalizing its bilateral relations with its neighbor Algeria," said the minister's statement.

On March 20 Morocco called for the first time for Algeria to reopen the land border -- something Algiers says is conditional on the resolution of all outstanding issues.