UN chief calls for "all necessary steps" to avoid escalating tensions in southern part of Western Sahara

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivers his speech during the 53rd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb 18, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said that he was "deeply concerned about the increased tensions" in southern Western Sahara between the Moroccan berm and the Mauritanian border, and called on relevant parties to "exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalating tensions."

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the increased tensions in the vicinity of Guerguerat in the Buffer Strip in southern Western Sahara," said a statement issued here by Guterres' spokesman.

Armed elements of both Morocco and Frente Polisario remain in close proximity to each other, a position they have been in since August 2016, monitored during daylight hours by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the statement noted.

"The secretary-general calls on both of the parties to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to avoid escalating tensions, be that through the actions of military or civilian actors," the statement added.