Morocco convinced Spain will respond to morocco's claims over occupied towns

"We are convinced that Madrid will respond shortly to Morocco's claims over the two cities occupied by Spain," said minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa.

The Moroccan official who was interviewed by London-based daily "Asharq Al Awsat" said responding to the "logical and legitimate claims" will help Spain get out of an abnormal situation and contribute to consolidating the friendship and cooperation links between the two neighboring people and kingdoms.

He added that the issue of Sebta and Melilia is one of the recurrent topics in the Moroccan-Spanish relations, adding that Morocco and Spain are starting to formulate some proposals to reach a solution to this situation of exceptional colonization. Sebta and Melilia are the last colonies in the world, he insisted.

He went on that Morocco proposed that the issue be handled in the same way as was done for Hong Kong and Gaoua, deploring that in the 21st century, colonization still persists.

Morocco does not want to harm Spanish socio-economic interests in the two towns but is only seeking to recover its sovereignty over a land that is part of its national territory, Benaissa insisted.