Gibraltar Curbs to Be Lifted Feb. 5

Spain will lift all restrictions on the passage of people and goods between the Spanish mainland and the British-held rock of Gibraltar on Feb. 5, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Ramon Alvarez said the action will coincide with talks scheduled for Feb. 5-6 in Geneva between Britain and Spain over the future of the British colony claimed by Spain.

The lifting of the restrictions was provided for in a British-Spanish accord signed Nov. 27. Two years ago, Spain allowed limited pedestrian traffic between Spain and Gibraltar for the first time in 13 years. However, Spain would allow no goods to be brought in from Gibraltar.

Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 after its defeat in the war of Spanish succession.