IN his first ever live Christmas message to the troops serving abroad, Spanish president Mariano Rajoy stated that he would 'spare no measures or resources' in ensuring the safety of the country's soldiers.

“From Afghanistan to the Antarctic, your work is vital,” the PP  leader stressed during his Christmas Eve video conference.

He made special mention of all the soldiers who lost their lives in oreign missions, and spoke to those currently posted in Marjayun (Lebanon), Kabul, Herat and Qala i Now (Afghanistan), Sarajevo (Bosnia), Djibouti, and Somalia.

Rajoy also spoke to commanders on board the Naval ships taking part in the Operation Atlanta in the Indian Ocean, and the scientific mission to the Antarctic – the Hespérides and the Gabriel de Castilla Antarctic base.

He reassured them of their immense importance to Spain and that their compatriots were 'very aware' of the hard work, effort and sacrifices.

The troops told the president that they had spent Christmas Eve night 'as if they were a family' and enjoyed a slap-up meal of typically-Spanish food.