Morocco expects Spain's immediate unconditional withdrawal from Leila islet
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/17/2002

Morocco has called for the unconditional and immediate withdrawal of the Spanish armed forces from the Mediterranean Leila islet, which is an integral part of the Moroccan territory.

In a statement released today by the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation, Morocco denounced as a breach to international law the Spanish military operation, conducted in the tiny island of Leila on Wednesday early in the morning (4.00 GMT).

Morocco says nothing justifies this illegal use of force at a time Morocco and Spain were conducting discussions and agreed to defuse the crisis through diplomatic channels.

The Moroccan government explains that while dialogue was being carried on over the past three days with the support and contribution of friendly countries, helicopters of the Spanish army supported by several gunboats, landed on the Moroccan islet of Leila, violating Morocco's air space and territorial waters.

The Spanish forces captured the six Moroccan security agents posted there since July 11 for a surveillance operation and raised two Spanish flags. The Spanish soldiers forcefully embarked the Moroccan security agents and placed them near the occupied Moroccan city of Sebta.

Morocco, which vigorously protests this aggression, has immediately submitted the issue to the United Nations, the Security Council, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference and has, likewise, conducted several bilateral contacts with brotherly and friendly countries which are following the evolution of the situation, the statement says.

Previous Stories:
  Official statement on Morrocan Leila islet   (7/16/2002)
  Leila islet case: Morocco convinced dialogue is best path   (7/16/2002)
  El Pais: Morocco wants to use Leila Island to fight terrorism   (7/15/2002)

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