Morocco seeks civilized settlement to Spanish-controlled cities issue, Moroccan speaker says

Morocco seeks a "civilized" settlement to the issue of Sebta and Mellilia, two Moroccan northern cities under Spanish rule, the speaker of the Moroccan chamber of advisors (upper house) said.

Morocco seeks a civilized settlement, based on the proposal made by King Hassan II to set up a reflection committee, to guarantee both Morocco's legitimate rights over the two cities and Spain's interests, Mohamed Jalal Essaid told the conference of Mediterranean parliaments, held in Palma De Majorca (southern Spain).

King Hassan II had proposed to set up a joint cell to ponder a solution to the issue of the two cities, occupied by Spain for more than 500 years.

Jalal Essaid highlighted Morocco's tireless efforts in favor of peace and stability in the Mediterranean. "Morocco faithfully endeavored to settle its territorial integrity dossier in accordance with international legality."

Touching on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, Jalal Essaid said Morocco was the first to take the initiative to propose the holding of a referendum in its southern provinces.

The vote -- destined to determine the Sahara sets up on its own, as claimed by the Algerian-backed Polisario, or remain within Morocco -- is bogged down in difficulties over the voter lists.

The speaker underlined Morocco's attachment to the United Nations settlement plan and to the right of all Sahrawis to participate in the voting.