Morocco: Situation in Rif calm

Moroccan communications minister and government spokesperson Mostafa Al-Khalfi said on Tuesday that his government was still monitoring the events in the town of Abouayach. Local sources have told Arabstoday that the cities of Abouayach and Imzouren were returning to normal amid an uneasy calm after a week of violent clashes between protesters and the security forces. Al-Khalfi said: "Calm is returning to these cities. Meanwhile, the government is working on solutions to the social problems that caused these protests." When asked about the detainees, Al-Khalfi answered: "Although some illegal acts were committed, everything will be managed according to the law." Regional governor Mohammed Al-Hafi meanwhile said: "The state will never tolerate those who threw Molotov cocktails and attacked the security forces," adding that he was "ready to open a dialogue to solve the area's problems". A security source told Arabstoday that 10 people were arrested in an attempt to stop a rally which was moving from the city of Imzouren to Abouayach. The source added that violent clashes took place in the city as a consequence, resulting in the burning of a police car. The events coincided with the visit of interior ministry envoy Al-Sharqi Adrees to the region. Adrees had met with prominent regional leaders to be briefed with the causes of the events. Local sources have however mentioned considerable losses in public and private property, mentioning that "the situation can blow-up again at any time". Earlier, the Moroccan Human Rights Organisation (which consists of more than 10000 activists) issued a statement calling for the setting-up of a committee to investigate these events.