Funr (FUNR)

[SharonB]

Morocco raises terror alert to maximum level
07.08.07, 5:54 AM ET

RABAT, Morocco (Thomson Financial) - Morocco raised its terrorism alert to the maximum level on Friday to indicate a 'current threat' against the north African country, the interior ministry said.

The government had reliable information indicating the 'serious threat of a terrorist act,' the interior ministry said after a meeting of security chiefs here.

The alert demands the full mobilisation of the security services and the 'redoubling of vigilance.'

Morocco has been on edge since five suicide bombers blew themselves up in Casablanca between April 10 and 14, just weeks after another suicide bombing in the city on March 11.

One policeman was killed and 45 people were injured in the blasts.

'Reliable information relayed in recent days to the interior ministry described the preparation of acts of terrorism in Morocco,' a Moroccan security source told Agence France Presse on condition of anonymity.

The source said that a meeting of top security officials, including Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa, was held in Rabat to discuss the information which resulted in the decision to raise the alert status.

'Morocco is cooperating fully with foreign police services,' the source said, adding that in the face of the threat, Morocco 'is putting itself in a situation of extreme vigilance.'

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2007/07/08/afx3891952.html
...
Morocco on maximum security alert
Agencies
Published: July 08, 2007, 10:37

Rabat: The government has put Morocco on "maximum" terrorism threat alert, its highest category indicating that an attack is imminent.

The move follows a meeting of police, military and intelligence chiefs in the capital Rabat on Saturday.

"This alert level indicates a serious threat of terrorist action and requires the extreme mobilisation of the security organs," the Interior Ministry said, adding that more police were being deployed to step up surveillance.

Al Jazeera website quoted political analyst Miloud Belkadi as saying that Western security officials who recently visited Morocco may have passed details about an impending attack.

"It is the first time Moroccan authorities have used clear language and precise words about the terrorist threat," Belkadi said.

"These visits and the language of Al Qaida's Zawahri were indicating something serious may happen soon here," he said.

Al Qaida deputy leader Ayman Zawahiri last week released a video urging an overthrow of "corrupt" Muslim governments.

http://www.gulf-news.com/region/Morocco/10137810.html