(MENAFN) The UN Security Council on Friday endorsed a resolution backed by the United States, designating Morocco’s plan for Western Sahara as the "most feasible solution" to address the protracted conflict.

Among the 15 council members, 11 supported the resolution, which was drafted by the US. Russia, China, and Pakistan chose to abstain from voting, while Algeria refrained from casting a vote.

In addition, the council extended the mandate of the Western Sahara peacekeeping mission, MINURSO, for an additional year.

Mike Waltz, the US permanent representative to the UN, stated that Washington welcomed the "historic vote, which seizes upon this unique moment and builds on the momentum for a long, long overdue peace in Western Sahara."

He emphasized that the US is "deeply committed" to backing a mutually agreeable resolution and to addressing the enduring conflict in the region.

Waltz further urged all stakeholders to utilize the upcoming weeks to engage in constructive talks, highlighting Morocco's credible and realistic autonomy proposal as "the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute."

Amar Bendjama, Algeria's permanent envoy to the UN, explained that Algeria abstained from voting on the draft resolution because it "does not sufficiently reflect" the UN principles concerning decolonization.

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