Morocco’s King Mohammed has called for action against traitors who threatened the country’s “territorial integrity”.

It is a direct warning to Western Sahara independence campaigners.

Morocco took control of most of Western Sahara in 1975 after Spain withdrew, triggering a war with the independence-seeking Polisario Front that lasted until 1991 when the United Nations brokered a ceasefire.

Morocco is now offering limited autonomy for the territory while Polisario, backed by Algeria, is holding out for a referendum with independence as one option.

In a speech marking 34 years since Morocco took control of the desert territory, King Mohammed said it was time to stop outlaws taking advantage of its civic freedoms to agitate from within.