Moroccan king invites Macron for state visit after W.Sahara position

RABAT (Reuters) - King Mohammed VI invited French President Emmanuel Macron for an official visit, after Paris announced a position in support of Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

This came in a letter from the king to Macron, welcoming Paris's "clear support for Morocco's sovereignty over this part of its territory."

The Western Sahara dispute, dating back to 1975, pits Morocco, which considers the territory as its own, against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state there.

Macron had sent a letter to the King on Tuesday recognizing the Moroccan autonomy plan as the "only basis" to reach a political solution to the conflict, while considering "the present and the future of Western Sahara within the framework of Morocco's sovereignty."

"Our two countries will work together to reach a solution that, within the framework of the United Nations, fully respects Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara," the king said, adding that the two countries are poised to foster their partnership in "strategic sectors."

Both the Polisario and Algeria condemned the French position. Algeria withdrew its ambassador to Paris in reaction.

(Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

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