Saharans move to disrupt rally

The rally is one of the toughest in the world

Thousands of Western Sahara separatists have set off in the direction of the disputed territory, apparently intent on disrupting the Paris-Dakar motor rally.

Organisers of the rally - which began in Paris on 1 January - have said that Sunday's stage through the Moroccan-ruled territory will go ahead as planned, despite renewed tensions in the region.

The separatist Polisario Front has accused Morocco of violating a 10-year old ceasefire and has threatened to launch an all-out war if the rally passes through the territory.

Polisario has warned drivers to avoid Western Sahara if they value their lives.

International observers in southern Algeria, who observed the Polisario supporters on the move from their camps towards the front with Morocco, described the threat as serious.

Military threat

A 35km buffer zone separates the Moroccan and Polisario forces beyond a defensive wall built by the Moroccan army.

Western Sahara - A Brief History

1884 Territory colonised by Spain

1956 Morocco claims sovereignty

1973 Polisario Front set up to fight for independence

1990 UN undertakes to organise referendum

The French AFP news agency says the allegation that Moroccan troops had violated the terms of the ceasefire was made in a letter to the United Nations mission in the territory (Minurso).

In his letter, the defence minister of the self-proclaimed Saharawi republic is reported to have accused Moroccan forces of leaving the wall and heading for the buffer zone.

"This was a flagrant violation of the ceasefire which we draw to your attention and which calls for a strong reaction."

Polisario reiterated that the Paris-Dakar rally's planned route through Western Sahara was a violation of the 1991 ceasefire with Morocco, prompting an "immediate response in legitimate defence and the resumption of military action".

"The Polisario Front appeals urgently to organisers and competitors and their families to avoid venturing into zones of Western Sahara occupied by Morocco and to consider risk to safety and life," said a statement sent to AFP.

The rally is no stranger to conflict - last year's event was disrupted when drivers had to be airlifted out of Niger.

'Offensive display'

On Friday, UN special representative for Western Sahara William Eagleton said he was seriously concerned by the separatists' warning, and appealed to "all concerned to exercise the utmost restraint".

Polisario have threatened to take military action

But the rally director Hubert Auriol said all the guarantees were in place and the event would go ahead as planned.

Morocco has dismissed the Polisario threats as propaganda.

However, the event has been condemned by some French campaigners. The Mouvement Critique du Sport said it was an offensive display of western luxury that insulted the impoverished African continent.

Polisario has campaigned for the independence of Western Sahara since the former Spanish colony was annexed by Morocco in 1976.