CNN.com - Spanish offer on disputed isle
Sebastian Wright
Published Apr 11, 2026
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MADRID, Spain -- Spain has offered to withdraw its troops from the tiny uninhabited island of Perejil if Morocco promises not to reoccupy the land.
Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio made the comments on a late-night talk show on Spain's state television. So far, there has been no comment from Morocco.
Elite Spanish troops have been digging in after evicting Moroccan soldiers from the half-mile long island during a lightning daybreak operation on Wednesday, though no shots were fired.
Overlooking Perejil, around 300 local Moroccans waved Moroccan flags on Thursday to denounce the "invasion."
The island -- called Perejil (Parsley) by Spain, Leila (Night) by Morocco -- had been occupied by Moroccan soldiers since last Thursday.
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Morocco claims the island as part of its territory, but Madrid says the island is Spanish and that the two countries had agreed years ago to leave it uninhabited. (Island facts)
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has offered to mediate in the escalating dispute.
Morocco has demanded the immediate withdrawal of Spanish forces, saying the island was an "integral part" of Moroccan territory. Foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa said the ouster "amounts to an act of war."
In a letter to the U.N. Security Council, Spain's U.N. Ambassador Inocencio Arias said: "Spain wishes to maintain fruitful relations of friendship and cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco and expresses its willingness to initiate conversations to that aim from this very moment."
Spain has suggested joint control of the rock as an eventual possible solution to the dispute.
Annan said he had been following the recent developments with concern and had been in contact with leaders on both sides.
The secretary-general "regrets any unilateral action taken so far and hopes that both parties will adhere to their original undertaking to resolve the issue through peaceful means," U.N. deputy spokeswoman Hua Jiang said. "The secretary-general stands ready to offer his good offices should the two sides so desire."
Morocco's U.N. ambassador, Mohamed Bennouna said his country considers Spain's armed attack on Wednesday "an ill-advised and dangerous act for peace and security in the very sensitive zone of the Straits of Gibraltar" and a violation of the U.N. Charter.
Digging in
On the island itself a group of Spanish soldiers were seen working on stone walls, Reuters reported. Supported by helicopters from one of the Spanish navy vessels nearby, they set up a radio antenna and what appeared to be an anti-aircraft gun.
They also ditched Moroccan flags which had flown over the islet since last week, the news agency said. Six Morocoon soldiers who were taken into custody were returned to Morocco soon afterwards.
Thursday's demonstrators hurled abuse and stones at the two Spanish frigates moored defiantly close to the islet.
"Spain go away, Leila is not yours," shouted the clifftop protesters.
"Spaniards destroy our economy in the name of friendship. It's time to do something about it," said one unidentified protester.
In Cairo, Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League, said the 22-nation bloc considers that "Leila Island is Moroccan" but called for the issue to be resolved through negotiations.
The European Union has backed Spain, but offered to facilitate dialogue between the countries.
NATO officials said the alliance was pleased the status quo has been restored and that there had been no injuries.
Spain is Morocco's second main trading partner after France with over $1 billion in foreign trade exchanges, and is among its leading sources of foreign investment.
