Tunisia voices deep worry over Moroccan Leila islet situation

Tunisia has expressed this Thursday "deep worry" over the situation resulting from the occupation by Spanish forces of the Moroccan Leila islet.

In a statement of the foreign ministry carried by Tunisian news agency TAP, Tunisia calls Morocco and Spain "to opt for dialogue and to resort to negotiation" on the Leila islet issue.

"Given the ties of brotherhood and solidarity binding Tunisia to the Kingdom of Morocco and given the ties of traditional friendship existing between Tunisia and the Kingdom of Spain, and in view of the unfortunate escalation of tension between the two neighbor countries, Tunisia voices deep worry over this situation," said the statement.

Tunisia calls Morocco and Spain ""to opt for dialogue and to resort to negotiation as the appropriate way to overcome anything likely to strain the historical and traditional relations between the two countries."

"Such relations, based on the respect of the principles of neighborliness and constructive cooperation have always marked relations between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean, out of concern to consecrate the shared will to consolidate the Mediterranean space É on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests, and for the sake of peace, security and stability to the benefit of all," the statement went on.

Tunisian secretary of state in charge of Maghreban and African affairs, Sadak Fayala, received this Thursday Morocco's ambassador to Tunisia, Abdellah Belkziz, to whom he expressed his country's deep worry over the latest developments, and especially the Spanish government's escalation.

The Moroccan diplomat informed the Tunisian official on the developments of the situation following the occupation of the islet by Spanish forces, Wednesday at dawn.