Morocco threatened Thursday to take further measures in retaliation for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s description of Moroccan rule over Western Sahara as an "occupation".

Morocco threatened Thursday to take further measures in retaliation for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's description of Moroccan rule over Western Sahara as an "occupation".

Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar told reporters that "decisions will be announced" but said this would depend on the outcome of a Security Council meeting called for later in the day.

Morocco decided to cut $3 million in funding for the UN mission in Western Sahara and presented a list of 84 staffers that are to leave MINURSO in the coming days.

"Morocco has taken decisions. These are irreversible," said Mezouar.

"There are other decisions that have been left outstanding and others are under review," he added. "All of this will depend on the Security Council."

The foreign minister said however that Morocco had decided against withdrawing peacekeeping troops from UN missions, dropping an initial threat.

A major dispute has broken out between Rabat and the UN chief over his use of the word "occupation" to describe the status of Western Sahara, during a recent tour of north Africa.