The UN Security Council rejected the competing proposals, leaving the peacekeeping mission without an approved extension.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara faces an uncertain future after competing United States and Russian resolutions failed at the UN Security Council.

Russia vetoed the US-backed proposal on Friday, despite support from 11 members of the 15-member council.

Recommended Stories

list of 3 items list 1 of 3 A UN protection force must be urgently deployed to Palestine

list 2 of 3 G20 drops group photo as Europeans refuse to stand with Lavrov

list 3 of 3 Algeria’s military deployment to Niger: What’s behind the move?

end of list

A rival Russian draft then failed to secure the nine votes needed for adoption.

The mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) is due to expire on Saturday unless the council reaches a last-minute agreement.

Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony in northwest Africa.…