The United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has met President Maauoya Ould Taya of Mauritania at the start of his ten day tour of North Africa.Mr Annan is trying to find a solution to the long-running dispute over the Western Sahara.
Mauritania has recognised the Polisario Front's claim over the region which was annexed by Morocco in the mid-l970's.
Mr Annan is to continue his tour with visits to western Sahara and Morocco where he is to have talks in Rabat with King Hassan.
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