Morocco's terror alert at highest level
Morocco raised its terror alert to its highest level today, citing a “serious threat of a terrorist act” and ordering increased security nationwide, the Interior Ministry said.
The North African nation’s top police, intelligence and security officials met to discuss terror threats, and decided to raise the alert level to “maximum”, the state news agency MAP said.
The “maximum” alert level “indicates a serious threat of a terrorist act and demands extreme mobilisation by the bodies concerned”, the statement said, according to MAP.
No details about the threat were reported.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called off a trip to Morocco scheduled for next week.
The trip was put off at the request of Moroccan authorities “for scheduling reasons”. Sarkozy spokesman David Martinon said today.
Sarkozy would visit in October instead. No mention was made of security risks.
Moroccan authorities last raised security alert levels in April after suicide bombings in Casablanca and larger suicide attacks in neighbouring Algeria.
Authorities also raised security alert levels in February.
This time, Interior Minister Mohamed Benaissa, citing “viable intelligence” about terrorist threats, urged security services to heighten their vigilance, MAP said.
The minister also announced a long-term plan for boosting anti-terrorist agencies and the number of personnel.
Suicide bombings in 2003 in Casablanca killed 45 people. Morocco, a relatively moderate Muslim country and popular holiday spot, has cracked down on suspected terrorist activity since then, making regular arrests.
