The President of the European Commission Romano Prodi has told Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi of the EU’s concern over Morocco's occupation of a tiny Mediterranean isle claimed by Spain.
According to sources, the European Commission president also called Spanish Foreign Minister Ana de Palacio to discuss the standoff, which has heightened tensions between the two nations.
Morocco on Thursday deployed a handful of troops to the uninhabited island - known as Perejil in Spain and Leila in Morocco - which is barely the size of a football field.
Spain the following day sent three small patrol boats to the islet and reinforced its military presence on islands it claims near Morocco.
Today it sent three warships to two Spanish enclaves on the north African coast, defence ministry sources said.
According to an EU source, the Moroccan government is trying to avoid "any dramatisation" over the issue and is acting with a view to "finding a quick solution."
(AFP)