6 arrested early May for 27 Apr Marrakech bombing, including alleged main perpetrator. Officials said suspects had loyalties to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); AQIM 7 May denied involvement. Thousands demanded political reform during 8 May anti-violence march in Marrakech. Police 15, 22, 29 May violently dispersed pro-democracy demonstrations led by February 20 anti-govt movement in major cities; officials said gatherings not authorised. Communication minister 23 May claimed Islamist groups manipulating pro-democracy demonstrations. Govt 26 May announced parliamentary elections to be held early on 7 Oct, 3 months after constitutional referendum; elections originally scheduled for Sept 2012. Gulf Cooperation Council 10 May invited Morocco to join 6-nation body.

16 killed 27 Apr in suspected-al-Qaeda bomb attack in Marrakesh; no claim of responsibility. In third day of mass protests since Feb tens of thousands in 24 Apr peaceful demonstrations in major cities demanded social and economic reform, end of political detentions. Govt 26 Apr agreed to increase public sector salaries, minimum wage. King Mohammed VI 14 Apr pardoned 190 prisoners on advice of rights council established as part of ongoing reforms.

In first speech since 20 Feb widespread pro-democracy demonstrations, King Mohammed VI 9 March announced “comprehensive constitutional reform” to be put to voters in referendum. Estimated 35,000 people protested 20 March in major cities demanding greater civil rights, end to corruption. At least 17 injured 26 March during clashes with police at teachers wage protest in Rabat.

More than 10,000 protested 20 Feb in major cities, including capital Rabat, Casablanca demanding political reform and limits on powers of King Mohammed VI; some scattered violence, clashes with police in Marrakech and northern town of Larache. King 21 Feb said he would not cede to “demagoguery”, announced creation of Social and Economic Council to revisit social charter. PM Fassi 14 Feb met leaders of main political parties: promised social, economic, political issues would be tackled; 15 Feb announced govt will double food and energy subsidies. Banned Islamist group Justice and Charity 6 Feb demanded end of “Benalisation” of politics and economy.

Concerned over protests in neighbouring countries, govt 25 Jan promised to maintain food and gas subsidies. Parliamentary inquiry into Nov deadly clashes between security forces and Sahrawis at Laayoune protest camp blamed “terrorist separatists” for instigating violence, recommended improving living standards. Moroccan police 5 Jan dismantled 27-member terror cell, uncovered weapon caches linked to al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Amghala; interior ministry announced 5 soldiers to face trial for links to arms trafficking to AQIM.

Latest round of UN-brokered talks 16-18 Dec between govt and Polisario Front ended in deadlock as both sides refused to accept other’s proposal as sole basis of negotiations. 2 sides agreed to meet again 21-22 Jan and in March. Interior Ministry 27 Dec said 6-member “cyber-terrorist” cell arrested for planning car bomb attacks on foreign interests, national security facilities.

Govt rejected European Parliament’s 25 Nov resolu- tion supporting UN inquiry into disputed 8 Nov raid on Western Sahara protest camp (See Western Sahara); FM Fassi Fihri 27 Nov also refused any role for MINURSO. Parliament 29 Nov voted to establish commission to investigate events. Hundreds of thousands protested in Casablanca 28 Nov against Spain Popular Party’s accusations of security forces committing rights abuses against Saharawis.

Police 12 Oct arrested 7 suspects in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb-linked drug network, seized large quantities of money, drugs and tear gas; 34 more members remanded 16 Oct. Trial began 22 Oct of 7 Sahrawi activists accused of “undermining internal security” for visiting refugee camps in Algeria run by Polisario Front; rights groups called charges “politically motivated”.

Activists 18 Aug suspended commercial blockade of Spanish enclave of Melilla until end of Ramadan; govt has made repeated accusations of Spanish border police abuses in area govt calls “occupied territory”. Former Spanish PM Aznar visited Melilla 18 Aug, told reporters Spanish govt had “abandoned” enclave in face of “harassment” by Morocco; Spanish govt condemned visit. Interior Minister Cherkaoui met Spanish counterpart Rubalcaba 23 Aug in Rabat to ease recent tensions, discussed security cooperation. Interior Ministry 11 Aug said police had broken up cell of 18 radical Islamists planning series of attacks in country.

Appellate court 16 July upheld life sentence for al-Qaeda associate Abdelkader Belliraj, convicted July 2009 along with 35 other defendants for plotting terror attacks in Morocco, robberies in Europe and other crimes. King Mohammed VI 5 July called for improved relations with Algeria in letter to Algerian President Bouteflika, reiterated desire to work for “reconciliation and solidarity between the two countries.