UN urges return to full operation of Western Sahara mission

New York - The UN Security Council is calling for the urgent return of the UN peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara to its full operation in a rebuke to Morocco, which expelled most of its civilian staff to protest a comment by the UN secretary general.

The vote on Friday was 10-2 with three abstentions, with those voting "no" and abstaining angered that the resolution wasn't stronger and failed to condemn Morocco's actions.

The US-drafted resolution expresses regret at the UN mission's inability to fully carry out its mandate of monitoring a 1991 cease-fire and organizing a referendum on the future of Western Sahara. This language is slightly stronger that the initial draft which expressed concern - but not tough enough for five council members including Russia, which abstained.