Spanish parties fail in attempt to overthrow Muslim mayor of Melillia

Muslim mayor Mustapha Aberchan will maintain his position in the Moroccan northern city of Melilia, still under Spanish rule, despite attempts by Spanish political circles to overthrow him.

Aberchan, the first Muslim and Berber ever to be elected as mayor of the city, was elected last June 13. He is supported by the Spanish Liberal Independent Group (GIL) which is led by Jesus Gil Y Gil, mayor of Marbella and the president of the football team "Athletico Madrid."

The prime minister's Popular Party (PP) and the opposition Socialist Party (PSOE) had sent on Thursday envoys to Madrid and Melilia to lobby votes for a censure motion against GIL.

The PP envoy admitted that it did not succeed in convincing the leader of local party "Independent Party of Melilia" whose support was needed to overthrow Aberchan.

The PSOE envoy said his party's representatives in the city should resign because they did not abide by the party's instructions and decided to support the Muslim mayor.

Aberchan, a 39-year doctor, was the candidate of the Coalition for Melilia that groups the Muslim community of the city.

More than half of the 60,000 inhabitants of Melilia are Muslims.