Spain and Morocco are in dispute over a tiny Mediterranean island known as Perejil to Spaniards and Leila to Moroccans. The dispute is important because Morocco is relatively pro-Western, and Spain views itself as a bridge to the Arab world through Morocco.
Where and what is Perejil/Leila?
The island is 200 metres from the Moroccan coast in the straits of Gibraltar. It lies in Morocco's territorial waters, and is about the size of a football pitch. It has had no human inhabitants for over 40 years, but is sometimes visited by Moroccan herdsmen who take their goats to graze there.
Click here for a map of the area
Why did the dispute escalate?
Six Moroccan soldiers raised their national flag on the island on 11 July 2002. Morocco said they were there to prevent the island being used by drug smugglers, illegal immigrants and terrorists.
After protests from the Spanish government, the soldiers were replaced by Moroccan navy cadets who installed a fixed base on the island. This further angered the Spanish, and both countries restated their claims to the islet.
On the morning of 18 July, Operation Recover Sovereignty was launched at a cost of almost 1 million euros, and was described by Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa as "an ignoble act which amounts to an act of war." The operation was successful, and the Moroccan navy cadets were dislodged from the island without offering any resistance to the Spanish commando attack force.
The operation was launched in conjunction with the Spanish Navy and Air Force, and the captured Moroccans were transported to the Moroccan border. Its scale led to a satirical headline in the Daily Telegraph: "Naval might defeats boys' slingshots."
Over the course of the same day, the Spanish commandos were replaced on the island by members of the Spanish Legion, who remained on the island until Morocco, after mediation by the US, agreed to return to the status quo that existed previously. The islet is now, once again, deserted.
The Financial Times on 19 July denounced Spain's actions as "an act of folly" since "Europe does not need a new source of strain with the Arab world."
So who does the island belong to?
Its status is ambiguous, and has been so since Madrid's protectorate over nearby parts of Morocco came to an end in 1956.
In 1415, Portugal conquered the island. Portugal then became united with Spain from 1580-1640. The island has been under Spanish control since 1668. Spain bases its claim on its being missing from Morocco's independence treaty.
Morocco insists the question of ownership has never been settled. Even Spain's El Pais newspaper published on 19 July 2002 a long treatise on the history of Spain's North African territories, and concluded that Perejil/Leila belongs to Morocco.
Martin Walker, chief international correspondent for United Press International, says: "Morocco's claims over Perejil…can expect a sympathetic hearing at the United Nations."
For a statement on the island by Morocco's foreign minister, made on 16 July 2002, click here.
What does the international community think?
The European Union backs Spain, but has called on Madrid and Rabat to rapidly renew talks aimed at finding a long-term solution to the dispute. Nato also backs Spain.
The Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Conferences have said it considers the island to be part of Morocco.
US officials have said off the record that Washington does not recognise either Spanish or Moroccan sovereignty over the island.
How can the dispute be resolved?
The US and UN have offered to mediate, but then-Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio told the BBC that mediation was necessary only in complicated cases such as the Middle East or the Balkans, whereas Perejil/Leila was "clear cut." She said Spain was ready to talk with Morocco about a range of bilateral issues, but not about the island in isolation.
Useful links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2136782.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_Perejil