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Tensions over Spanish king's trip Protests over Spanish king's trip
(about 4 hours later)
King Juan Carlos of Spain has arrived in Ceuta at the beginning of his contentious visit to two Spanish-held enclaves on the tip of North Africa. Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas el Fassi has criticised Spanish King Juan Carlos's visit to the Spanish-held enclaves on the tip of North Africa.
Morocco considers the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla to be occupied Moroccan territory and recalled its ambassador to Spain in protest at the visit. He said Spain should know the colonial era is over and the return of Ceuta and Melilla should be directly negotiated.
Moroccans are planning protest rallies in the two enclaves and outside the Spanish embassy in Rabat, reports say. Thousands waving Spanish flags greeted the king on his arrival in Ceuta.
Thousands of people waving Spanish flags greeted the king on his arrival. But 1,000 Moroccans staged a protest on the Moroccan side of the border. Morocco recalled its ambassador to Spain in protest at the king's visit.
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos has said he hopes the visit will not affect Spain's good relations with Morocco for long.Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos has said he hopes the visit will not affect Spain's good relations with Morocco for long.
Moroccan authorities have described the visit as "regrettable".Moroccan authorities have described the visit as "regrettable".
"There are red lines that cannot be crossed when it comes to the territorial integrity of Morocco," Mr Fassi told MPs in Rabat.
Rival claimsRival claims
Moroccan Ambassador Omar Azziman has been recalled indefinitely over the visit.
Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco's coast, came under Spanish control about 500 years ago but Morocco claims them too.Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco's coast, came under Spanish control about 500 years ago but Morocco claims them too.
High-level Spanish visits to the two strategic enclaves are rare. This is the first time the king has visited as head of state in his 32-year reign.High-level Spanish visits to the two strategic enclaves are rare. This is the first time the king has visited as head of state in his 32-year reign.
When Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero went there in 2006 it was the first by a Spanish head of government since 1981.When Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero went there in 2006 it was the first by a Spanish head of government since 1981.
Madrid says the urban enclaves are integral parts of Spain.Madrid says the urban enclaves are integral parts of Spain.
They are surrounded by Morocco, which views the Spanish presence as anachronistic and claims sovereignty.They are surrounded by Morocco, which views the Spanish presence as anachronistic and claims sovereignty.
The king is due to visit the second enclave of Melilla on Tuesday but he will return to the Spanish mainland overnight.