Morocco tightens security over threat

Morocco announced on Thursday that it is tightening security measures in response to a "serious terrorist threat" linked to the growing number of its citizens joining jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq. Interior Minister Mohamed Hassad said there was "a serious threat of a terrorist attack against the kingdom because of the growing number of Moroccans belonging to extremist organisations in Syria and Iraq". "A certain number of these fighters rise to leading positions within such organisations and do not hide their intention of carrying out terrorist attacks in Morocco," he told a cabinet meeting in Rabat. His comments were relayed to the press by government spokesperson Mustapha Khalfi. Hassad did not elaborate on the reinforced security measures, except to say that actions have been taken "to guarantee the safety of citizens... and of strategic public sectors," without compromising economic activity.