LISBON, July 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Portugal on Tuesday became the latest nation to back Morocco's plan to give autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty to the disputed Western Sahara territory.

Portugal considers the plan "serious, credible and constructive" for the resource-rich north African territory, where the Algerian-backed Polisario Front rebel group has campaigned for an independent state.

Morocco moved in to control most of the sparsely populated territory after former colonial ruler Spain withdrew in 1975.

The United Nations considers Western Sahara a "non-self-governing" territory and has had a peacekeeping mission, MINURSO, there since 1991 with the official aim of holding a self-determination referendum.

Morocco has however refused to allow a vote where independence could be an option.

In recent years, France, the United States, Spain, Germany and last month Britain have all backed the Moroccan autonomy plan.

The UN Security Council called in October last year for all sides in the dispute to hold new talks "in good faith".

Portugal would be a valuable new boost for Morocco's diplomatic campaign.

Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Morocco's autonomy proposition was "the most serious, credible and constructive basis to reaching a solution" for Western Sahara.

Speaking after a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Rangel added that "any solution must always... be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations".

Portugal's stance on the issue "further strengthens the cooperation between the two countries", the Moroccan minister said of Rangel's comments.