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Spain and Morocco mend fences
MADRID, Spain -- Spain's ambassador to Morocco has returned to his post in what is seen as the latest step toward the restoration of full diplomatic ties between the two countries. Relations became strained last summer when the two countries became involved in a major diplomatic incident involving a military standoff over an uninhabited island. Spain dispatched naval ships after a small force of Moroccan troops occupied the uninhabited Spanish islet of Perejil. Spain described the incident as an "act of hostility" and withdrew its ambassador to Morocco, Fernando Arias Salgado, back to Madrid. But on Sunday the private news agency Europa Press said Arias Salgado had returned to Morocco. No one was available Sunday at the Foreign Ministry to confirm the report. Morocco's ambassador, Abdesalam Baraka, is also expected to return to Madrid early this week, the agency said. Baraka was recalled by Rabat in October 2001 without explanation, an incident which signalled the start of a 15-month, bitter diplomatic row. The thawing of diplomatic relations follows a meeting in Morocco last week between King Mohammed VI and Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio. The two countries also have disputes over fishing and the trafficking of immigrants to Spain.
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