The Moroccan government protested Thursday against the visit Spain's King Juan Carlos planned to pay to the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla off Morocco's northern coast.
The government deems the visit as regrettable whatever the motivations and aims might be, Moroccan Minister of Communication and Government Spokesman Khalid Naciri told reporters after a cabinet meeting here Thursday. "Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri has briefed the cabinet on news of the visit that was carried by mass media during the last two days. The government can only express strong rejection and clear disapproval of this regrettable visit, whatever the motivations and aims," Naciri reasserted.
Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El-Fassi has recently said his government would do its utmost to convince Spain of entering dialogue on the two cities whose ownership has long been contested by Rabat.
Juan Carlos has reportedly said he planed to pay a visit - the first in his 32-year reign - to Ceuta and Melilla next Monday. |