Morocco urges Spain to ponder final solution to Sebta, Mellilia issue

Morocco on Tuesday urged Spain to implement the initiative launched by late King Hassan II to set up a group to reflect on a final solution to the issue of Sebta and Mellilia, two Moroccan northern cities still under Spanish rule.

"Morocco has always called for the materialization of the initiative of late King Hassan II, and which aims at setting up a cell to ponder a final solution to the situation prevailing in Sebta and Mellilia and the adjacent islands," Moroccan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Mohamed Benaissa, said in a speech before the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"Such a settlement would safeguard Morocco's sovereignty and guarantee Spain's economic interests," the Minister said.

Benaissa recalled that Morocco is keen on preserving the inevitable neighborliness with its neighbors and on consolidating the centuries-old ties binding it to Spain.