By Andre Vornic BBC European reporter

Most mainstream political parties have rallied around the government, with the Socialist opposition endorsing the intervention as a necessary move.

I want to make it very clear that the aim of the Spanish Government is to re-establish the rule of law, to return to the status quo which existed before the 11 July

Ana de Palacio Spanish foreign minister

The majority of the public also appears at one with the authorities on the issue - although very few Spaniards were even aware of the islands' existence as late as last week.

A readers' poll taken by the Madrid newspaper El Mundo in the past few hours shows a staggering 92% rate of approval for military intervention.

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Participants take it for granted that the island is Spanish and as such, must be defended to preserve Spain's sovereignty.

There is a long history of antagonism between the two countries

Many of the comments revolve around the need for Spain to be seen to be acting against a perceived humiliation, instead - as several readers put it - of twiddling her thumbs.

"Finally, our country has lifted a finger!" says one. "Long live Spain and long live the military, writes another." And yet another: "Perejil today, Ceuta tomorrow, then Andalusia! How long will we keep dropping our trousers in front of the Arabs?"

Maintaining status quo

The statement which the Spanish Foreign Minister, Ana de Palacio, made to Congress was much more measured.

"I want to make it very clear that the aim of the Spanish government is to re-establish the rule of law, to return to the status quo which existed before the 11 July," she said.

Perejil island

200m off the Moroccan shore in the Straits of Gibraltar Less than 1km in diameter Rocky and uninhabited Visited by herdsmen who take their goats to graze Named after the wild parsley which grows there - Perejil means "parsley" in Spanish Known in Morocco as Leila

"We have not changed our position. Before and after this morning's operation the Spanish Government said and defended the same thing, the return to the status quo and frank and constructive dialogue with Morocco," Mrs de Palacio added.

She went on to recapitulate historical facts which she said justified Spain's position.

But several Spanish commentators have pointed out that the legal status of Perejil is complex and open to interpretation.

A sceptical note has also come from Spanish farmers - an important lobby - who worry that the deterioration in relations will undermine talks on agricultural trade between the EU and Morocco.

But for many ordinary Spaniards, the dispute has touched a raw nerve, tapping into a long history of antagonism with the Arabs who once ruled them.

More proof, if needed, that national sovereignty issues have an immediate popular appeal even in prosperous, sophisticated societies.

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