NEW YORK CITY, New York: The United Nations is preparing to end its peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara after the Security Council failed to agree to extend its mandate, creating fresh uncertainty over the disputed territory's future.

Morocco, which claims Western Sahara as part of its territory, welcomed the decision. However, the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which has been fighting for the territory's independence, expressed concern.

The Polisario Front has sought an independent state in Western Sahara since Spain, the former colonial power, withdrew in 1976. Morocco has controlled most of the territory since then, while the Polisario continues to oppose Moroccan rule.

The UN peacekeeping operation, known as MINURSO, was established after a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations in 1991. Its main responsibilities included monitoring the ceasefire and organizing a referendum on the territory's future.

However, the referendum has never taken place because Morocco and the Polisario Front have been unable to agree on who can vote.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said November 1 marked the beginning of the mission's liquidation phase. During this process, the mission will return equipment and other assets to the countries that contributed troops.

The decision comes a year after the Security Council adopted a resolution drafted by the United States that described Morocco's proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the most practical solution to the long-running dispute.

Russia abstained from that vote last year but vetoed another U.S.-backed resolution this year. The proposed resolution would have strengthened the UN's support for Morocco's autonomy plan while reducing the peacekeeping force.

The Security Council subsequently rejected a separate Russian resolution, leaving MINURSO without a new mandate and allowing the mission to expire.

Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed the developments. Speaking to state media, he argued that the mission's original responsibility to organize a referendum was no longer relevant.

He described the reference to a referendum in the mission's name as an "anachronism". Bourita also said Morocco knew Russia planned to block the American resolution but saw the situation as an opportunity to reconsider the existing arrangements.

Morocco's royal palace described the decision not to renew MINURSO as an important development. It said the move could help remove the Western Sahara dispute from the Security Council's agenda.

Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front, strongly criticized the decision. Its Foreign Ministry expressed deep regret and accused the United States of showing excessive support for Morocco's position.

The Polisario Front also raised concerns about the Security Council's failure to reach an agreement. In a statement, it said it was "concerned at the deadlock in the Security Council meeting."

The end of MINURSO removes an international peacekeeping presence that has monitored the ceasefire for more than three decades. It also leaves the dispute unresolved, with Morocco and the Polisario Front continuing to hold opposing positions on the territory's political status.