Spain’s appeasing socialist prime minister wants the United Nations to set up a group that will create an alliance of civilizations.

The Spanish prime minister has called for an international effort to resolve cultural and religious differences between the Western and Muslim world.

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said “an alliance of cultures” was necessary in a world facing conflict because of poverty and Islamic radicalisation.

Mr Zapatero, at the UN General Assembly meeting, said the alliance could deepen political and cultural relations.

He also defended his decision to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq.

Mr Zapatero said he had asked the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, to set up a high level group to study the creation of an alliance of civilisations.

Speaking on the fringes of the UN meeting in New York, Mr Zapatero said: “This alliance would have as its fundamental objective to deepen political, cultural and education relations between those who represent the so-called Western world and, in this historic moment, the area of Arab and Muslim countries.”

Good luck, Spain. The lessons of the Reconquista have been forgotten.