MADRID, June 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Spain on Monday welcomed Israel's plan to withdraw its forces and settlers from the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

    At a banquet honoring visiting Israeli President Moshe Katsav, Spanish King Juan Carlos said the initiative is a road leading to peace with Palestine.

    The king sad Spain and the European Union "could and want to help reaching a true peace for the nations of the Middle East."

    Katsav is here for a four-day visit at the invitation of the Spanish king.

    The Israeli president is expected to hold talks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero as well as members of Spain's Jewish community.

    Katsav will also visit the towns of Toledo in central Spain and Cordoba in the south.

    Israel plans to withdraw forces and some 9,000 settlers from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four out of 120 in the West Bank due to start in mid-August.   Enditem