The UN under-secretary- general for peacekeeping operations, Herve Ladsous, arrived in Laayoune on Wednesday to visit the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, known as MINUS, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters.

Ladsous "will be reviewing operations and meeting with Mission's leadership," Nesirky said at a daily news briefing. "He plans to travel to two team sites, as well as to Tindouf and Rabat, where he will meet with officials from both parties."

Ladsous will hold talks with both parties involved in the dispute over the territory.

The visit by Ladsous is the first by the head of UN peacekeeping operations to the MINUS in 14 years.

"I am thrilled to come here to MINUS and to discuss with colleagues the challenges the Mission faces. I look forward to meeting our military observers in the team sites who under difficult conditions are doing a noble job," said Ladsous.

Established in 1991, the UN Mission is tasked with monitoring the cease-fire in Western Sahara and organizing a referendum on self-determination for the people of the territory.

The UN has been involved in efforts to find a settlement in Western Sahara since 1976, when fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after the Spanish colonial administration of the territory ended.