Western Sahara - a former Spanish colony - is considered a "non-self-governing territory" by the United Nations.

Morocco controls 80% of the territory and the rest is held by the Polisario movement - which fought with Morocco for years after Spanish forces withdrew in 1975.

In October, the UN Security Council called on both sides to resume negotiations

The two leaders met on Wednesday on the side-lines of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations held in the Moroccan city of Fez.

King Mohammed reaffirmed Morocco's position that the dispute be resolved "on the basis of the autonomy initiative, within the framework of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom".