Casablanca attacks perpetrated by a 14-member cell (interior minister)
Morocco, Local, 5/19/2003

The terrorist attacks that hit the city of Casablanca on Friday night were perpetrated by a cell of 14 people divided into five groups, Moroccan Interior Minister, El-Mostapha Sahel, said on Saturday.

Only one member of this cell was arrested, while the 13 others perished in the attacks.

The attacks claimed 41 lives and more than 100 injured, according to the latest official death toll.

The Minister said two Frenchmen, two Spanish and one Italian were killed in the separate attacks.

Sahel stressed that all measures have been taken, in accordance with the instructions of King Mohammed VI, to assist victims, ensure citizens' security and track the authors of these criminal terrorist acts.

The official, who described the attacks as international terrorism, said all components of the Moroccan society (political parties, associations and trade unions) denounced the acts.

He denied rumours circulated by some press bodies on new explosions Saturday in Casablanca.

The Moroccan security services are working to elucidate the painful events through investigation, he said.

On Saturday spokesman of the Royal palace, Hassan Aourid said in a statement broadcast on Moroccan TV "the criminal acts will not sap Morocco's determination to shield itself from the risks of extremism and violence which threaten the security and integrity of citizens, adding that Morocco, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, will always remain open to other civilizations and committed to its option for democracy."

"It is committed to guarantee security and tranquility, as well as tolerance between all sons of the nation, irrespective of their faiths," he said.

Aourid stressed "as soon as he was informed on Friday evening, His Majesty the King asked the Interior minister and those in charge of the relevant security services to report to the scene where these horrific acts of terror were perpetrated, to attend to the injured and to provide for the safety and well-being of the citizens."

"In this connection, he went on, His Majesty the King decided to bear medical costs for the treatment of the injured. Furthermore, His Majesty ordered the Interior Minister and the Minister of Justice, in their respective fields of competence, to proceed with a thorough investigation to determine the motives behind these terrorist acts, to identify their instigators, perpetrators and all those involved, whether directly or indirectly, and to bring them to justice."

"His Majesty the king also gave instructions for the above inquiries to be carried out in all transparency and for the Moroccan public opinion to be kept informed of the ongoing investigations and of their findings."

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