Leila Islet Crisis: Paris calls for appeasement

France has voiced concern over "the current situation of tension" between Spain and Morocco, following the Spanish military intervention in the Moroccan Leila islet and expressed the wish for "appeasement."

"Being concerned by the current situation of tension, we hope that the degradation of relations between these two friendly countries of France will be ended, in a spirit of appeasement and neighborliness," said assistant spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs at a press briefing here Wednesday.

The foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, is in direct contact with his Spanish and Moroccan peers, the assistant spokesman said. The French foreign minister had said Tuesday on the radio station "Europe-1" that France has "a vocation to play a moderating role" with Morocco and Spain "which are two very close friends of France."