Tension as Spanish royals visit Moroccan enclaves

King Juan Carlos will begin a visit to Spain's two North African enclaves today that has sparked a diplomatic spat with Morocco, which claims the territories as its own.

News reports said Moroccans planned to stage protest rallies in Ceuta and Melilla, as well as outside the Spanish embassy in Rabat.

Spain's foreign minister said he hoped Madrid's good relations with Morocco would help keep the dispute from marring Juan Carlos' first trip to Ceuta and Melilla in his 32 years as head of state.

"We hope that the good level of relations between Spain and Morocco will allow us get over the sensitive points of this issue," Miguel Moratinos said.

Morocco recalled its ambassador from Spain on Friday to protest at what it described as a regrettable plan by Spain's monarchs to visit the two cities, located on Morocco's northern coast.

The cities, remnants of Spain's colonial empire, have been Spanish for more than 400 years, longer than Morocco has been a sovereign state, Spain says.

Yesterday authorities began distributing tens of thousands of Spanish flags to residents of both cities. Television shots showed apartment balconies and street barriers covered with the national colours.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will begin the visit - long-sought by residents of the enclaves - before noon local time (1pm Irish time) in Ceuta, arriving by helicopter and receiving a formal honorary salute at the Plaza de Africa Square before visiting the enclave's parliament.

Tomorrow, they will travel to Melilla and visit the parliament there.