Home | China | World | Business U.N. Security Council Renews U.N. Mission in Western Sahara THU, FEB 28, 2002     The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to adopt a resolution to extend the mandate of the U.N. Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until April 30. The 15-member council reaffirmed its commitment to assist the parties concerned to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the question of Western Sahara, the resolution said. The controversy over whether the former Spanish colony should be independent or part of Morocco has raged since Rabat took over the sparsely populated territory in 1976. The Polisario waged a sporadic guerrilla war against Morocco until a U.N.-brokered cease-fire took effect in 1991. The United Nations has been trying unsuccessfully since 1992 to organize a referendum on the territory's future. But the referendum never takes place due to dispute over who should be legitimate to vote. Editor:Liu Hongji Source:Xinhua Recommend to your friend email:    China Central Television,All Rights Reserved