Two security personnel killed, 70 injured in W Sahara violence

RABAT. November 8. KAZINFORM Morocco's official news agency said Monday that two security personnel were killed and 70 others injured in clashes with protestors at a camp in the Morocco- controlled Western Sahara. Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

According to the agency, Morocco's security forces raided Gdim Izik camp, about 10 kilometers east of Laayoune, the main town of the territory, to arrest elements who were "threatening" the camp' s residents.

Clashes erupted and two security personnel were killed and 70 others were injured, four of them in serious condition.

The Moroccan troops rounded up 65 people for resisting the forces, the report said.

The raid came hours ahead of the re-launch of UN-backed informal talks between Morocco and Polisario Front rebels in New York on the fate of the territory. Morocco proposes autonomy for the region while the front wants independence. Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com