Morocco says islet still occupied by Spain

Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, noted Friday the Moroccan Mediterranean islet of Leila is still occupied by Spain, adding that in this situation Morocco will not start any negotiations.

In a statement to the Associated Press agency, the Moroccan official said Morocco will not start negotiations with Madrid before Spanish forces withdraw from the islet that was invaded on Wednesday at dawn by the Spanish armed forces who captured six Moroccan security agents deployed there on a routine policing operation.

He further wondered on the possibility and relevance of direct negotiations when Spain has deployed a real armada to occupy the islet after it was clearly agreed to use diplomatic channels to settle the political dispute.

Meantime, Morocco will not start negotiations with Madrid before Spanish forces withdraw from the Moroccan Mediterranean Leila islet, had said on Thursday Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa.

The head of Moroccan diplomacy made the statement to reporters following a meeting with Libyan peer, Abderrahmane Mohamed Chagham, who has been dispatched by Libyan leader on an emergency assignment over the Moroccan-Spanish Leila Islet crisis.

"We refuse to negotiate with Spain under pressure, threats or any other conditions," Benaissa stressed.