Truckers who transport food from Morocco to this Spanish enclave in North Africa suspended shipments of perishable goods on Wednesday amid a simmering dispute over alleged police brutality by Spanish officers. But the threat of a lengthy commercial blockade could be easing with a reported agreement to suspend it until the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan next month. The decision by truckers to stop hauling goods into Melilla came in response to demands by Moroccan protesters who blocked them from entering for a brief period Tuesday night. It was the second time in a week that Melilla faced shortages of fish, fruit and vegetables. Spanish media reported that the protesters had reached the deal with traders who sell the food in the city of about 70,000 to allow the trucks to resume shipments Thursday, putting off the prospect of a long-term blockade until September. A spokesman for Spain's Interior Ministry in the city confirmed that no trucks carrying food or fish had arrived at the Moroccan side of the border with Melilla on Wednesday. He said some 20 protesters gathered at the Moroccan side were only allowing empty trucks to pass through. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with ministry policy, said that after a brief blockade Tuesday night, dozens of trucks carrying construction materials had been allowed in. Morocco supplies the Spanish enclave with perishable products, and about 35,000 Moroccans cross daily into Melilla to work or shop. Morocco claims the city and another North African enclave of Spain, Ceuta, as its own, and the protesters backing the blockade also want Spain to cede control of the cities to Morocco. But Spain rejects any talk of giving them up. Morocco has made five complaints over the last three weeks alleging Spanish police mistreatment of, and racism against, Moroccans crossing into Melilla. Moroccan officials also accused the Spanish coast guard of finding, then abandoning, a group of ailing migrants in a boat off the Moroccan coast. Spain has denied the claims. Spain and Morocco are key allies, cooperating closely on fighting terrorism and preventing illegal immigration. Relations between Spain and Morocco have been generally good in recent years, despite periodic bouts of tension.
