U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell mediated intensively between Spain and Morocco on Friday and a senior U.S. official said he hoped to help them resolve their dispute over the island of Perejil. Powell made several calls to King Mohammed of Morocco and Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio.

He is seeking a solution along the lines of restoring the status quo as it stood on July 10, before Moroccan troops landed on the uninhabited island.

Wednesday Spanish troops captured the island, off the Moroccan coast in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Spain Friday welcomed a Moroccan pledge not to reoccupy the island, known to the Moroccans as Leila, if the Spanish troops withdraw. But Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa later appeared to backtrack on that pledge.

The United States is allied with Spain through NATO but has also had excellent relations with Morocco, one of the first states to recognize U.S. independence in the 18th century.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa told reporters in Paris his earlier comments to a Spanish radio station had been taken out of context. .

The minister then failed to respond to questions from several reporters demanding to know if the pledge still stood.

The dispute is only the latest between the countries, which squabble over immigration, fishing rights, oil exploration and the future of the Western Sahara.

The minister will travel to Brussels Monday as part of a diplomatic tour to explain Morocco's position.

He was due to meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, European Commission President Romano Prodi and European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten.

Morocco justified sending troops to the island it calls Leila by saying it was an observation post to combat illegal migration and drug-smuggling across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Spain has scaled back its heavy navy presence near Perejil, leaving two frigates to support its forces. Helicopters made frequent trips between the ships and island.

PHOTO CAPTION

Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa gestures as he addresses journalists at a news conference about the disputed Mediterranean island called isla Perejil in Spanish and Leila in Arabic in Paris, Friday July 19, 2002. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)