Morocco and Spain appear to have ended their military
standoff over a disputed Mediterranean.
Officials from both countries said Spain withdrew its troops from the
island it calls Perejil, located 200 meters from the North African coast.
The withdrawal was completed by early Sunday in wake of a U.S.-sponsored
mediation effort.
Morocco's Foreign Ministry declared that the island dispute has ended. A
ministry spokesman said Spain withdrew its 75 troops from Leila as a result
of U.S. mediation.
"The Spanish government has withdrawn its forces from the Moroccan islet
called Leila, as a result of successful contacts with his majesty King
Mohammed VI," the official MAP news agency quoted the spokesman as saying.
The U.S. effort was directed by Secretary of State Colin Powell. Powell
held at least 14 telephone calls with Spanish and Moroccan leaders on Friday
and Saturday, including three calls to Morocco's King Mohammed.
The island crisis began on July 11 when Morocco sent a military
delegation of 12 soldiers to take over the uninhabited island. Six days
later, Spanish troops, transported by helicopters and backed by warships,
captured Perejil and detained the Moroccan soldiers.
On Friday, Morocco agreed to a Spanish offer to withdraw from the island
in exchange for Rabat's guarantee not to recapture Perejil. Details of the
accord were drafted by the United States.
"The United States welcomes the understanding reached by Morocco and
Spain over the island, following consultations by the United States with
each side," Powell said on Saturday. "In accordance with this understanding,
the two sides have agreed to restore the situation regarding the island that
existed prior to July 2002."
Officials said neither Morocco nor Spain has abandoned claims to
Perejil. On Monday, Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio will meet her
Moroccan counterpart Mohammed Ben Issa in Rabat.
