Global Arab Network - Algeria's president says there are no problems between his country and neighboring Morocco, burying with words at least years of tensions over the disputed Western Sahara territory

According to Algerian Press Service (APS), Bouteflika made his remarks on the sideline of a visit to the border city of Tlemcen, where he inaugurated the opening of a Palace, marking the occasion of the city being the Cultural Islamic Capital for 2011. President Bouteflika noted that the Western Sahara issue, which has divided the two North African nations since 1975, "is a UN problem," adding "cooperation is needed with a neighboring country".

Morocco, which has laid claim to the vast territory, wants large autonomy for the region while Algeria wants a referendum by the region's natives whom it supports in southern camps.

Differences between the two countries have compromised efforts for regional integration in North Africa and at one point nearly brought the two to war.