Morocco on Thursday ordered 84 international staffers of the UN peacekeeping mission in a disputed territory to leave following a spiraling diplomatic spat over UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s comments.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Morocco’s order was “in clear contradiction” of its international obligations and a challenge to the UN Security Council, which authorized the mission. The mission is meant to monitor a ceasefire and help organize a long-delayed referendum.