State media 21 June said security forces had broken up Islamist cell planning terror attacks on Jewish sites, nightclubs. Trial of 38 al-Qaeda-linked terror suspects opened 10 June, delayed until 16 Sept.

Suspected leader of Moroccan al-Qaeda-linked militant cell arrested 30 Apr in France. 12 people convicted 6 May for terrorist activities including fundraising to finance terrorism, drug trafficking, forgery. Expulsions of 23 foreign Christians reported mid-month.

Authorities 26 Apr announced mid-month arrest of 24-member al-Qaeda-linked militant cell allegedly planning attacks in country and recruiting Moroccans for jihad abroad.

At least 20 Christian aid workers expelled from country 9 March for alleged missionary activity. Govt reported 6 members of terrorist cell arrested 2 March; escape attempt by 10 convicted Salafia Jihadia militants thwarted in Kenitra 9 March.

Authorities 23 Sept announced arrest of 24 suspects in alleged al-Qaeda network recruiting fighters for Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan.

In 30 July anniversary address, King Mohamed VI called for normalisation with Algeria, resolution of Western Sahara conflict through autonomy plan. Abdelkader Belliraj, arrested early 2008 for leading Islamist terrorist network, received life sentence 27 July. Court 17 July postponed trial of Islamist activist Nadia Yassine, prosecuted for calling for republic and “insulting” monarchy, until 2010. 5th delay since 2005.

FM Taieb Fassi-Fihri 19 Apr reiterated call to normalise relations with Algeria, reopen border closed since 1994. 43 sentenced to up to 20 years prison 17 Apr in al- Qaeda-linked terrorism trial. Anti-Shiite campaign begun March continued with arrests of alleged Shiites in Casablanca slums.

Rabat cut diplomatic ties with Iran 6 March in protest at Iranian official’s comments on sovereignty of Bahrain; foreign ministry also claimed Iran interfering in internal affairs by propagating Shiite Islam. Several arrests late month in govt “morality” campaign to preserve “Sunni Malekite character of Morocco” targeting Shiites, homosexuals; 5 Christian missionaries expelled end month.

Communications Minister Khaled Naciri 25 Feb repeated King Mohamed VI’s Jan call for Algeria to lift 15-year border closure, promised to address Algerian concerns on security cooperation.

Several arrested across country as govt claimed further successes in dismantling terrorist cells: govt 12 Dec said 5 reportedly belonging to “Salafist Jihadist” group detained in Berkane early month on various charges including plotting bank robberies to fund terrorist attacks. Abdelilah Ahriz sentenced 18 Dec to 20 years for involvement in 2001 Madrid bombings.