National
Official confirmation from Morocco that their Ambassador to Spain is returning to Madrid
By m.p.
Jan 7, 2008 - 8:35 PM

Morocco has announced the immediate return of its Ambassador to Spain, Omar Azziman, who was recalled for indefinite ‘consultations’ in protest at the announced visit of the King and Queen of Spain to the two North African enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, last November. It’s the step which usually precedes the breaking off of diplomatic relations.

Now both Autonomous Cities whose sovereignty is disputed by Morocco, Ceuta has been under Spanish rule since 1580, and Melilla since 1496. The King of Morocco, Mohamed VI, issued an official statement on the second day of the royal visit, condemning it as ‘counter-productive,’ and saying it could put in danger how relations evolve between the two countries.

The official announcement of he Ambassador’s return follows news in the top selling Moroccan newspaper, Al Masae, this weekend, that Mr Azziman was to return to Madrid this week.

Morocco’s Foreign Minister said in a statement reported by the Spanish press on Monday that, ‘after the visit to Morocco on Thursday 3rd January by the Foreign Minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, it has been decided that his Majesty the King’s Ambassador in Madrid will immediately return to his position.’

Moratinos took with him on his visit to his Moroccan counterpart, Taib Fassi Fihri, in Rabat last week a personal letter of friendship to Mohamed VI from José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, speaking of the Spanish Prime Minister’s hopes of maintaining and continuing the good relations between the two countries.