Moroccans cheer departure of Spanish soldiers from islet

Moroccans in this small village of Jbel Moussa, which sits between the Mediterranean Islet of Tourah/Leila (less than 200 meters from the Moroccan coast) and Sebta (a Moroccan northern city still under Spanish rule) were cheerful as they witnessed the departure of Spanish soldiers from the Islet.

In a joyful atmosphere Moroccans chanted slogans and the national anthem, perched on a hilltop witnessing the end this event in the Moroccan-Spanish relations. The small roads of this usually calm village looked like a busy hive after four days of occupation by Spanish troops of the Moroccan island.

"They (the Spanish) are leaving at night just as they stealthily came by night," an old man says as his voice was covered by car horns and shouts of Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest).

I know they were bound to go sooner or later, just as they will be soon leaving Sebta and Melilia (two Moroccan northern towns occupied by Spain) and all the other neighboring islands, says a youngster from the village.

The Spanish forces also lowered the flags under a US-sponsored agreement.